25/01/2017 09:40
The next period will be decisive in relation to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, said Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, addressing on Tuesday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The President said he was absolutely convinced that if all parties, and in particular, Turkey come up with a creative and constructive approach, the solution of the Cyprus problem could be achieved on the basis and within the framework of European principles and values.
He also reiterated his determination to work for a solution that will actually reunite Cyprus, will protect all citizens, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, creating a modern state fully compatible with its status as an EU member and will rise and create the prospects for peaceful coexistence among the inhabitants of the island.
Referring to the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem in the last 20 months, he said that despite the observed remarkable progress, there are still differences and disagreements in a number of issues, most notably those involving property. He noted that during the recent months, the efforts of the Government focused on the debate on two key chapters, territorial adjustments and Security and Guarantees.
In relation to the issue of Security and Guarantees, he said that anachronistic arrangements could only cause problems and could not be a response to any reasonable or not concerns of the parties.
Saying that without to ignore that the need for the safety of a community can not be a threat to the other, the Government has submitted a complete and comprehensive proposal that effectively addresses the concerns of both communities.
Referring to the convergences achieved, he said that the internal structure of the Republic will evolve on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality of the two communities.
Referring to the convergences achieved, he said that the internal structure of the Republic will evolve on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality of the two communities. He also said that the independence and territorial integrity of a united Cyprus is fully guaranteed under the international law, the UN Charter and the European acquis. There are also, he added, constitutional provisions that strictly prohibit secession or union of part or whole to any third country. To ensure bizonality, he noted each of the States will have defined administrative boundaries. He also said that to ensure the bi-communality and political equality, intervention of the Federal Government on issues of responsibility of States or a State intervention on issues under the federal government is prohibited.
The President also said that any military guarantees or worse, intervention rights of any third country were not necessary any more and were also an anachronism, since, among other things affect the independence and sovereignty of a member state of the UN, the EU, the Council of Europe and many other international organizations and were in contrast to the UN Charter and international law.
He also said that whereas the current situation is completely different compared to 1960 or 1974, any presence of Turkish troops or Turkey`s guarantee rights after the solution would be an unbalanced arrangement for the Greek Cypriot community, because of the proximity and the military superiority of Turkey and would be considered as a permanent threat against the Greek Cypriot community. He also referred to the risk of destabilizing or strengthening secession movements and causing continuous deadlocks and destabilization.
President Anastasiades also said that guarantees and intervention rights is incompatible with the basic principles of sovereignty and international legal personality governing each state, as would give the right to one of the states to invite a third country to intervene and violate the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent and sovereign state.
Referring to the Cyprus Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the CoE, he said that Cyprus will work even more intensively to highlight the role of the Council of Europe in meeting the major challenges facing Europe today.
"The major challenges facing Europe today, the economic crisis, terrorism, migration flows have fostered insecurity and uncertainty feelings to the citizens. They have unfortunately reintroduced disturbing phenomena such as xenophobic rhetoric and hate speech, the rise of populist and extremist elements, "he said.
The President also noted that "given the challenges that Europe is currently facing, it is time to engage in a creative dialogue with the citizens, to listen to their concerns and seek to jointly tackle them."
He added that through policies and actions "we need to put into practice the concept of active citizenship and in this direction we consider particularly important the role of education and, more specifically, of democratic civic education, as recorded in the priorities of Cyprus Presidency."
The President also expressed his complete satisfaction and his warmest thanks because the Parliamentary Assembly has adopted resolutions and recommendations to restore the law and the peaceful resolution of the Cyprus issue.
The President said he was absolutely convinced that if all parties, and in particular, Turkey come up with a creative and constructive approach, the solution of the Cyprus problem could be achieved on the basis and within the framework of European principles and values.
He also reiterated his determination to work for a solution that will actually reunite Cyprus, will protect all citizens, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, creating a modern state fully compatible with its status as an EU member and will rise and create the prospects for peaceful coexistence among the inhabitants of the island.
Referring to the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem in the last 20 months, he said that despite the observed remarkable progress, there are still differences and disagreements in a number of issues, most notably those involving property. He noted that during the recent months, the efforts of the Government focused on the debate on two key chapters, territorial adjustments and Security and Guarantees.
In relation to the issue of Security and Guarantees, he said that anachronistic arrangements could only cause problems and could not be a response to any reasonable or not concerns of the parties.
Saying that without to ignore that the need for the safety of a community can not be a threat to the other, the Government has submitted a complete and comprehensive proposal that effectively addresses the concerns of both communities.
Referring to the convergences achieved, he said that the internal structure of the Republic will evolve on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality of the two communities.
Referring to the convergences achieved, he said that the internal structure of the Republic will evolve on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality of the two communities. He also said that the independence and territorial integrity of a united Cyprus is fully guaranteed under the international law, the UN Charter and the European acquis. There are also, he added, constitutional provisions that strictly prohibit secession or union of part or whole to any third country. To ensure bizonality, he noted each of the States will have defined administrative boundaries. He also said that to ensure the bi-communality and political equality, intervention of the Federal Government on issues of responsibility of States or a State intervention on issues under the federal government is prohibited.
The President also said that any military guarantees or worse, intervention rights of any third country were not necessary any more and were also an anachronism, since, among other things affect the independence and sovereignty of a member state of the UN, the EU, the Council of Europe and many other international organizations and were in contrast to the UN Charter and international law.
He also said that whereas the current situation is completely different compared to 1960 or 1974, any presence of Turkish troops or Turkey`s guarantee rights after the solution would be an unbalanced arrangement for the Greek Cypriot community, because of the proximity and the military superiority of Turkey and would be considered as a permanent threat against the Greek Cypriot community. He also referred to the risk of destabilizing or strengthening secession movements and causing continuous deadlocks and destabilization.
President Anastasiades also said that guarantees and intervention rights is incompatible with the basic principles of sovereignty and international legal personality governing each state, as would give the right to one of the states to invite a third country to intervene and violate the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent and sovereign state.
Referring to the Cyprus Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the CoE, he said that Cyprus will work even more intensively to highlight the role of the Council of Europe in meeting the major challenges facing Europe today.
"The major challenges facing Europe today, the economic crisis, terrorism, migration flows have fostered insecurity and uncertainty feelings to the citizens. They have unfortunately reintroduced disturbing phenomena such as xenophobic rhetoric and hate speech, the rise of populist and extremist elements, "he said.
The President also noted that "given the challenges that Europe is currently facing, it is time to engage in a creative dialogue with the citizens, to listen to their concerns and seek to jointly tackle them."
He added that through policies and actions "we need to put into practice the concept of active citizenship and in this direction we consider particularly important the role of education and, more specifically, of democratic civic education, as recorded in the priorities of Cyprus Presidency."
The President also expressed his complete satisfaction and his warmest thanks because the Parliamentary Assembly has adopted resolutions and recommendations to restore the law and the peaceful resolution of the Cyprus issue.
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