The return of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants will contribute to building trust, pledged President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades.
Addressing the 3rd Clergy-Laity Congress of the Diocese of Constantia-Ammochostos, President Anastasiades said that the Turkish leadership should confirm with actions its willingness to achieve a solution and not through declarations or empty threats.
He pointed out that the Cyprus problem was and will remain the top priority.
In these difficult economic conditions, he said, the role of the Church, is to support the people who really need it. “We express our appreciation for this”, he noted, adding that it is important for the Church to convey messages of unity and solidarity.
Anastasiades said the desire for a solution to the Cyprus issue does not become less because of the economic crisis.
At the same time, he said that “what is important is to handle the economic difficulties which the people and country are facing but this should not avert us from preparing to start the talks the soonest, to reach a solution that will not disregard the claims and concerns of Cypriot Hellenism and will lead to the complete liberation from the Turkish occupation troops and restoration of our human rights”.
The solution, he said, should be based on the relevant UN resolutions, principles and values of the EU, of which Cyprus is a member and will lead to the reunification of our country and the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in a prosperous and peaceful co-existence”.
The President remarked that “our position is to take substantive actions that will help restore peace and will positively contribute to successful Cyprus talks.
“For this reason, we believe that a significant step towards this would be the return of Famagusta to its rightful inhabitants and not through declarations or empty threats”, he added.
President Anastasiades said that during Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides’ meeting with the UN Secretary-General, the return of Famagusta was put forward as an issue of priority “so that we can build trust and Turkey will eventually mean what it publicly declares”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third. The latest round of negotiations between the two communities (the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots) began in 2008 but resulted in a halt in July 2012 when Cyprus assumed the Presidency of Council of the EU.