[PIO] Statements by the President of the Republic

"The United Nations has informed us that the situation in the buffer zone, in Agios Dometios, will be restored, however, if it is not restored we have taken some decisions which will be implemented, but we will not make them public", President of the Republic Mr.

In his statements to journalists, while attending the presentation of Kostas Hadjikostis' book at the University of Nicosia, the President of the Republic was asked to refer to the new incident of provocation by the Turks in Agios Dometios: "This is a very serious violation. The United Nations (UN) has informed us that the situation will be restored. If it is not restored, we have already taken some decisions which will be implemented, decisions which will not be made public. But, I repeat, the UN has informed us that the situation will be restored. This is an incident that we neither downplay nor underestimate and decisions have been taken which will be implemented if the situation is not restored."

Asked if the Government is concerned about the situation, the President replied. It is a long-standing policy of the occupying army to contest the buffer zone. Let me remind you of what happened in Strovilia, let me remind you of other incidents. Over time there has been this contestation. We have given the United Nations, they have asked us, 24 hours. Immediately afterwards decisions were taken, which will be implemented, they will not be made public."

In response to a reporter's remark that the Turks continue with the same pattern while our side is constantly trying to restart negotiations on the Cyprus problem, President Christodoulides said: "This approach (of the Turks) is timeless without belittling or belittling. I mentioned Strovilia earlier, there are many incidents that we see. However, we will do everything possible to resume the dialogue. You understand that the current state of affairs, the passage of time, the creation of new fait accompli, such as the ones we are experiencing, do not help to resolve the Cyprus problem. Therefore, from our side - it is our country under occupation - we will do everything possible to create conditions for the resumption of the talks."

Asked whether the removal of the fait accompli is a precondition for the resumption of the dialogue, the President of the Republic said: "The lifting of the fait accompli is a precondition for not implementing decisions taken on the part of the Republic of Cyprus, as I mentioned earlier."

Asked whether humanitarian aid for Gaza will reach Cyprus, the President said: "We have already been informed by some countries wishing to send humanitarian aid to Gaza through the Republic of Cyprus. Our plan is for sea transport, the creation of a maritime humanitarian corridor. It was something that I discussed yesterday with the Emir of Qatar - you know the role of Qatar in general in this crisis - and we are receiving requests from countries so that they can bring humanitarian aid here and from here it can be transferred for the Palestinians."

Asked when this plan will be implemented, President Christodoulides said: "There are events going on all the time regarding this particular issue."

(PM/KP/EP)
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