Now is the time for diplomacy, President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides said today, referring to efforts to break the deadlock on the Cyprus problem.
In his statements to journalists after the student parade for the national anniversary of 25 March in Nicosia, the President of the Republic wished "happy birthday to all Greeks everywhere, happy birthday to Hellenism everywhere.
I would like to congratulate all those who participated in the parade, especially our children, our students, who are the future of our country, all those for whom we must do more.
Beyond that, the struggle of 1821 is a struggle with many timeless messages. And it is very right - and we will continue to do so - to commemorate such important anniversaries through parades and events.
The most important thing, however, is to take the necessary messages, the necessary lessons and transpose them into today's reality in the way we move.
The message that I hold, especially at the present juncture, is that after 400 years of slavery, the Greeks did not compromise with the Ottoman occupation and this is the message that I also want to send, that we do not compromise with the occupation, we do not compromise with partition.
We are well aware of the facts, the difficulties, the problems, we are very concerned about the possible continuation of the illegal state of affairs, the unacceptable status quo, and we will do everything possible to translate this concern into initiatives, concrete initiatives. And we will do everything possible to liberate our country, to reunite our country."
He added that on the occasion of his nomination to the Presidency of the Republic, "we have taken a specific initiative, always in consultation and coordination with the Greek Government. An understanding and coordination that will be strengthened on a daily basis and cannot be negatively affected by any development and we hope that soon, especially with regard to breaking the deadlock and the resumption of talks after the elections in Turkey, we will have concrete results."
Asked how his proposal on the Cyprus problem was handled in Brussels, the President of the Republic said that "I mentioned yesterday that I am satisfied with everything I have heard in Brussels through my discussions with the Presidents of the three institutions, with foreign leaders, either in the framework of the EPP or the European Council. We have said enough about this effort. Now is the time for diplomacy and we have to let diplomacy do its job and hopefully there will be a result with the Turkish elections as the time horizon.
Right now what needs to be done is to let diplomacy do what it needs to do."
(PM/MX)
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