Leaders of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK), the International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), and the Youth of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK) sent a clear message from Nicosia on Friday that they will continue working in their countries of residence to support efforts for the resumption of negotiations for the settlement of the Cyprus issue, while also preserving Cyprus’ traditions, customs and cultural heritage.
Meanwhile a resolution adopted by the Conference urged Turkey to cooperate fully in establishing the fate of the remaining missing persons and to provide complete information to the affected families. It further condemned the continuing Turkish military violations along the ceasefire line. It further stressed that a viable, functional and democratic settlement of the Cyprus issue, within the parameters of the United Nations Security Council resolutions, would be in the interests of all Cypriots.
Speaking at a press conference on the final day of the 23rd World Conference of Cypriots Abroad, held from 28 to 31 July, leaders of POMAK, PSEKA and NEPOMAK expressed their gratitude to the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Service for Overseas Cypriots for the excellent organisation of the event.
POMAK President Christos Karaolis said that this year’s conference had been ‘highly productive’ and had taken place during a period of ‘significant developments’ concerning Cyprus. He referred to the visit to Cyprus earlier this week by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the conclusion of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the announcements regarding the Cronos natural gas field and wider energy developments. He noted that delegates had the opportunity to receive briefings and discuss these developments with the President of the Republic, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Energy, as well as the Deputy Minister for European Affairs.
He stressed that the overseas Cypriot movement fully supports President Nikos Christodoulides’ efforts to resume negotiations from the point at which they were suspended at Crans-Montana, with the aim of achieving a solution based on the agreed framework and the EU acquis.
Karaolis also said that participants had discussed matters concerning the Cypriot diaspora and ways of strengthening its links with Cyprus.
PSEKA Deputy President Savvas Tsivikos said that delegates were in Cyprus ‘at a particularly important time’, noting the visit of the United Nations Secretary-General and expressing optimism that ‘a door appears to be opening for the long-awaited resolution of the Cyprus issue, with the prospect of negotiations resuming’.
He said that, following meetings and briefings with numerous members of the government, delegates had received ‘the necessary tools and information’ to return to their countries of residence and continue their work.
‘We will continue as dedicated volunteers, committed to the struggle for Cyprus’ liberation,’ he said.
Tsivikos emphasised that all members of the organisation are volunteers and that their mission extends beyond the political issue alone. ‘We also have a responsibility to preserve our customs, traditions and Hellenic identity while living far from our homeland,’ he said.
He also congratulated the Republic of Cyprus, President Christodoulides, Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos, and Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, saying they had made Cypriots ‘extremely proud through the outstanding success of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union’.
He encouraged political party leaders to reconsider their position regarding the extension of the Deputy Ministry’s mandate, arguing that ‘Cyprus must continue to have a strong presence in Europe, not only today but in the future’.
Tsivikos also noted that this year’s NEPOMAK conference had attracted strong participation.
Outgoing NEPOMAK President Christos Tuton said that, as the youth of the Cypriot diaspora, they want to send the message ‘that we care deeply about Cyprus, the Cyprus issue, and our customs and traditions, and that Cyprus will always remain close to us.’
The newly elected President of NEPOMAK, Elle Zacharia, said it was a great honour to have been elected to lead the organisation. She described NEPOMAK as a vibrant part of the global Cypriot diaspora movement and said she looked forward to continuing close cooperation with the Government of Cyprus, POMAK, PSEKA and Cypriot federations around the world.
Resolution of the Cyprus issue
The World Conference of Cypriots Abroad, in a resolution adopted during its proceedings, expressed its ‘unreserved support for the determined and sincere efforts of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, which have received international recognition, to overcome Turkish intransigence and achieve a viable and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue without occupation troops or guarantees’.
The resolution stated that such a settlement should constitute an evolution of the Republic of Cyprus, safeguarding a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international legal personality, while fully guaranteeing the four fundamental freedoms of the European Union.
The Conference also strongly condemned the continuing occupation, now in its 52nd year, of almost 37 per cent of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, and called on Turkey to withdraw all occupying forces immediately.
It further called on Turkey to implement the United Nations resolutions on Cyprus, to comply fully with the binding judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and to respect the property rights of displaced persons as well as the human rights of all Cypriots.
The resolution also urged Turkey to cooperate fully in establishing the fate of the remaining missing persons and to provide complete information to the affected families. It further condemned the continuing Turkish military violations along the ceasefire line.
It stressed that a viable, functional and democratic settlement of the Cyprus issue, within the parameters of the United Nations Security Council resolutions, would be in the interests of all Cypriots. Such a settlement, it said, would contribute to peace and long-term stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and would be consistent with the geostrategic interests of the European Union and the strategic partners of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Conference also welcomed the recent visit to Cyprus by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the European Union’s appointment of a senior European Commission official as its representative in the Cyprus settlement process, stating that this development clearly underlines that the Cyprus issue is fundamentally a European issue.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.