“Half a century later, the responsibilities of those who perpetrated the invasion and maintain the occupation, but also of all those who allow the continuation of the division of Cyprus through violence, continue to be unfulfilled” says the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis in his statement to APE-MPE on the 50th anniversary of the coup and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Mr. Christodoulidis underlines that “only a lasting and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem will restore the basic freedoms and human rights for all without exception the legal residents of Cyprus” pointing out that “despite the difficulties and problems, challenges, disappointments, we do that it is possible to create the conditions for the resumption of talks and finding a solution that will end the occupation”.

The following is the full text of the statement of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis to APE-MPE:

“The fiftieth anniversary of the black anniversaries of the treacherous coup and the barbaric Turkish invasion lends itself to collective national reflection. They are offered not only to draw lessons but also to reaffirm principles, values ​​and positions in relation to the management of the continued occupation of a large part of the territory of an independent state, the Republic of Cyprus, a member of the United Nations and the European Union.

Half a century later, the responsibilities of those who perpetrated the invasion and maintain the occupation, but also of all those who allow the continuation of the division of Cyprus by force, continue to be unfulfilled. What is happening today in Ukraine, where the international community is rightly reacting, happened in European Cyprus 50 years ago with the consequences of continuing to violate basic human rights. Consequences and actions that constitute a flagrant violation of International and European Law, the Charter of the United Nations Organization, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and an indisputable violation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Cypriots, who are obliged to live in their own country deprived of basic human rights.

This is the historical reality in my country. A reality that renders the need to end the current unacceptable status quo and solve the Cyprus problem unthinkable. A solution that will be within the framework of the decisions of the United Nations Organization, fully taking into account the acquis of the talks to date, as well as the principles and values ​​of the European Union.

Only a lasting and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem will restore basic freedoms and human rights for all legal residents of Cyprus without exception. It is precisely through this reasoning that from the first day of my election to the presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, I have set as my highest goal the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the removal of the consequences of the Turkish invasion.

In full and sincere cooperation with the Greek government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whom I want to thank for accepting my invitation to attend the events condemning the twin crime in Cyprus, which will be done for the first time by a Greek Prime Minister these 50 years. We work on the basis of specific design keeping in mind the constantly changing environment.

At this time, a new initiative of the UN Secretary-General is underway through his personal envoy to restart the talks from where they were interrupted in the summer of 2017.

Despite the difficulties and problems, challenges, disappointments, we are doing everything possible to create the conditions for the resumption of talks and finding a solution that will end the occupation. The current state of affairs not only cannot constitute the future of my homeland, but it does not guarantee the future of Cypriot Hellenism either.

Undoubtedly, the negative attitude of the Turkish side worries us and makes it difficult for us, but it does not discourage us because we know our destination very well, we have faith in the value of our arguments, we have the required self-confidence that we can succeed.”