21/08/2017 10:40
President Nicos Anastasiades has assured the people of Cyprus that he does not intend to present a solution plan which will not be to their benefit.
Speaking in a village in Paphos district, the President also said that it is inconceivable to see some people believe that Cyprus can become a Turkish protectorate, pointing out that the Cyprus problem must be handled in a way befitting the Republic’s EU membership.
“I am ready for compromise provided that our country will be fully independent and sovereign, it will not be controlled by Turkey and the solution will serve the interests of the Cypriots and not those of any third country,” he stressed.
President Anastasiades said that it was not and it is not possible to have a solution which at the end of the day will serve only those who are seeking to secure a permanent military presence in Cyprus, permanent military bases on the island and in addition maintain guarantee and intervention rights.
“Such a solution will fail the day after. This would be contrary to European principles and our European identity,” he noted.
Therefore, he added, “we will continue the peace effort because we want a reunited country and not a country that will surrender to Turkey.”
The President also said that since the assumption of his duties, the government has managed, through a disciplined policy and aware of the problems and sacrifices of the people, to achieve economic recovery and show growth rates of 3.5% of the GDP.
He said that a total of 243 million euro are allocated for projects in the Agricultural Development Programme 2014-2020.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. The President and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in negotiations since May 2015. The latest round of UN-led peace talks in early July ended inconclusively and parties to the talks are in a period of recollection at present.
Speaking in a village in Paphos district, the President also said that it is inconceivable to see some people believe that Cyprus can become a Turkish protectorate, pointing out that the Cyprus problem must be handled in a way befitting the Republic’s EU membership.
“I am ready for compromise provided that our country will be fully independent and sovereign, it will not be controlled by Turkey and the solution will serve the interests of the Cypriots and not those of any third country,” he stressed.
President Anastasiades said that it was not and it is not possible to have a solution which at the end of the day will serve only those who are seeking to secure a permanent military presence in Cyprus, permanent military bases on the island and in addition maintain guarantee and intervention rights.
“Such a solution will fail the day after. This would be contrary to European principles and our European identity,” he noted.
Therefore, he added, “we will continue the peace effort because we want a reunited country and not a country that will surrender to Turkey.”
The President also said that since the assumption of his duties, the government has managed, through a disciplined policy and aware of the problems and sacrifices of the people, to achieve economic recovery and show growth rates of 3.5% of the GDP.
He said that a total of 243 million euro are allocated for projects in the Agricultural Development Programme 2014-2020.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. The President and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in negotiations since May 2015. The latest round of UN-led peace talks in early July ended inconclusively and parties to the talks are in a period of recollection at present.
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