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02-05-2021 18:53 |
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Televised
Easter Message by the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades |
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The Greek Cypriot side has proven its adherence to international law and the protection of the interests of both the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots by abiding by the decisions of the Security Council, the President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Anastasiades said today while castigating Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership for trying to wreck the new initiative of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus through unacceptable and unlawful demands that violate international law and UN Security decisions. In his televised Easter
message, the President of the Republic said, among other things, that «a few
days ago we have, once more, experienced Turkish intransigence, and have witnessed
the arrogance of those who envision a new Ottoman empire». He added that «during the
recent UN informal conference on Cyprus, in Geneva, Turkey, and the Turkish
Cypriot leadership showed contempt toward the UN Charter, the UN resolutions,
and decisions on Cyprus, as well as the EU, by asking the UN
Secretary-General to become complicit in their unlawful actions demanding
recognition of sovereignty for the illegal regime established by and
subordinate to Ankara» in the northern part of Cyprus which has been under
illegal military occupation by Turkey since 1974. «A demand that is not only
contrary to international law and the terms of the UN SG’s mandate, but also
clearly contrary to the will of the vast majority of the people of Cyprus,
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots», the President said. He added that the Greek Cypriot
side has demonstrated its adherence to international law and the interests of
both the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots by abiding by the decisions of
the Security Council, the steadfast stance of the EU, the numerous rulings of
the ECHR against Turkey, and all that has been agreed at various times
between the parties. The President noted that the
Greek Cypriot side has, at the same time, turned to the UN Security Council
Permanent Members as well as to the EU, and managed to have decisive
interventions made thereby preventing the change in course sought by the
Turkish side and the failure of the new exploratory initiative by the UN SG. President Anastasiades further
noted that the unacceptable positions submitted in writing by the Turkish
Cypriot leader demonstrate, once more, the real objectives of Turkey over
time, which aim either at the partition of Cyprus or its transformation into Turkey’s
protectorate. The President of the Republic
made emphatically clear that as much as the Greek Cypriot side desires an
honourable compromise, it is equally determined to reject every proposal or
effort to legitimize the new illegal actions by Turkey. He added that in order to
activate the peaceful choice before us, the Republic of Cyprus will utilize
all European and international fora and will mobilize all friendly countries. He also noted that in addition
to the steps taken in Geneva, he will brief his European counterparts on
Turkey’s new provocations, during the informal EU Summit to be held in
Portugal next Friday and Saturday. He underlined that in addition, in the
next few weeks «we will engage in an international campaign to secure respect
for and implementation of the decisions of the Security Council and the terms
of the mandate of the UN SG». Addressing the Turkish Cypriots, the President said that «the status quo on Cyprus is not only unacceptable for both communities, but worst of all it does not lead to a solution where all of us together, as European citizens, can enjoy the benefits of peace, security, and prosperity». For that reason, he stressed, «Ι respectfully invite you to give the battle united together for our own homeland, Cyprus, which we have loved and we keep on loving».
(RM/IK) |
