The liberation and reunification of Cyprus remain a top priority, Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou said on Sunday at a memorial service honouring those who fell and the residents of Trachoni Kytheras who were killed in cold blood during the 1974 Turkish invasion.
‘We honour our missing, displaced persons, prisoners of war, those who suffered, and those who remain trapped in the occupied areas, all those who continue to suffer the consequences of the barbaric Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation,’ Antoniou said in his memorial address at the Church of Apostle Andrew in Platy Aglantzia.
He said that ‘ending the occupation, and achieving the liberation and reunification of our homeland, remain our top priority. Despite the difficulties, obstacles and challenges, we remain committed to the major effort to resume negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of the agreed framework, with respect for the negotiating acquis and the principles, values and law of the European Union.’
He stressed that ‘in the face of Turkey’s ongoing crime, our response is clear: We will never accept or legitimise the fait accompli created by the illegal invasion. Nor will we abandon our efforts, because inaction serves Turkey’s narrative that two states exist on the island and that a solution based on the agreed framework cannot be achieved.’
‘Our vision is for the Republic of Cyprus to evolve into a truly free state throughout its entire territory, without an occupying army and without guarantor powers with unilateral rights of intervention,’ Antoniou said.
President continues efforts to resume Cyprus talks, Energy Minister says
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Energy Minister Michael Damianos said on Sunday that the President and the government are continuing efforts to resume meaningful negotiations on the Cyprus issue, aiming to achieve a viable and workable solution. He was speaking at the National Memorial Service for the Heroes of Lakatamia.
He stressed that ‘paying tribute to our heroes is inextricably linked to the effort to end the occupation and reunify our homeland. Resolving the Cyprus issue remains our greatest national priority.’
Damianos said President Nikos Christodoulides and the government are continuing efforts to resume meaningful negotiations aimed at reaching a viable and workable solution to the Cyprus issue, based on relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, international law, and the principles and values of the European Union.
‘Our goal is a free and reunified Cyprus, a modern European state where all citizens can live in security, peace and dignity. A homeland without occupying troops, outdated guarantees and dividing lines, offering prospects and hope to future generations,’ he said.
Government committed to resumption of substantive negotiations
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The Government remains committed to the resumption of substantive negotiations from where they were left off at Crans-Montana, with a view to reaching a solution based on United Nations Security Council resolutions, compatible with the EU acquis and the values of the European Union, which would reunite the country, its people, institutions and economy, Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Marinos Mousiouttas said on Sunday, in Nicosia.
He was delivering the memorial address at the national memorial service for the people of Palaikythro.
Cyprus, the Minister said, is an EU member state, and the occupation of part of its territory constitutes the occupation of European territory.
‘We convey this message at every European and international forum, through a multidimensional and active foreign policy with a clear Western and European orientation,’ he added.
However, he said, no diplomatic struggle could be won unless the country was strong internally, noting that domestic and foreign policy were inextricably linked.
‘A country living under occupation, without a resilient economy and credible defence capabilities, has no leverage on the international stage and is inevitably left isolated,’ he added.
‘For this reason, we are consistently investing in strengthening our country’s deterrent capability and enhancing every citizen’s sense of security,’ he said.
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.