‘Substantial effort’ soon to resolve Cyprus problem

There will “soon” be a “substantial effort” to resolve the Cyprus problem, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday.

He was speaking at a ceremony to remember soldiers who died during Turkey’s invasion of the island.

“Despite the adverse conditions, the challenges, the disputes, the illegal visits, the events, I believe that soon we will see a substantial effort to achieve the goal of ending the occupation and reunifying our homeland,” he said.

He added, “we cannot act differently. This situation cannot be the solution of the Cyprus problem, nor can it be the future of our country.”

He then reaffirmed his commitment to a solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, and to “the principles and the values of the European Union”, saying he had done so “because a lot has been heard of late”.

“The fight for justice, the fight to end the occupation and to reunify our homeland is our final and unmoving goal as a state. We are using all our diplomatic means, because only through diplomacy can we achieve our goals and bring the Turkish side to the table and find a solution which will be sustainable and functional for all this country’s legal residents,” he said.

He then turned his attention to the matter of holding ceremonies to remember those who died or were rendered missing during the invasion.

“Ceremonies and the construction of monuments in honour of those who gave their lives for the sake of the country and those whose fate is still unknown are the highest duty for both the state … and for society,” he said.

He said this is the case not only “for the need to preserve our historical memory”, but also “for us all to realise that the current unacceptable state of affairs must be brought to an end.”

His promise for a “substantial effort” to resolve the Cyprus problem comes two days after he promised “good news” on the issue “before the end of the year”.

“In this context, I am working closely with the United Nations Secretary-General [Antonio Guterres] and his personal envoy [Maria Angela Holguin] as we make every effort to resume the talks from where they were suspended, on the only possible basis, the one described by UN Security Council resolutions,” he said.

He then added that “soon, before the end of the year, there will be positive news”.