There is a window of hope today for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday in a televised address on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus, stressing that the wall of the occupation of is not impenetrable.
“We may not be at the desired point. I certainly do not underestimate or downplay the challenges and difficulties, but developments keep hope alive and allow us to continue our persistent effort,” he noted.
‘With feelings of pride, today we honour the 65th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the Republic of Cyprus, as a result of getting rid of the colonial yoke after the unparalleled struggle of our people for freedom,’ the President said at the beginning of his address.
He noted that independence was a milestone in Cyprus’ long history, while the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus constitutes the people’s greatest achievement, which we must safeguard.
Unfortunately, he continued, today’s anniversary finds our homeland territorially and administratively amputated, due to the continuing 51-year presence of the Turkish occupying army following the illegal invasion of 1974, under the pretext of the Junta’s treacherous coup to overthrow President Makarios.
“Fifty one years later, the barbed wire of occupation keeps our country divided and prevents its lawful residents from moving freely, living peacefully, and creating under conditions of security and prosperity throughout the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, as they deserve and as they are entitled to,’ he said.
Nevertheless, he noted that the Cypriot people stood firm ‘and with the Republic of Cyprus as their shield succeeded in rebuilding the state and the economy under the difficult and tragic conditions of occupation. On the foundation of international legitimacy, the Republic of Cyprus evolved into a modern state, and in 2004, 30 years after the 1974 tragedy, joined the great European family. This important transformation, the greatest diplomatic success since independence, has changed our country’s fate for the better and laid the foundations for a sustainable future for our people,’ he stressed.
President Christodoulides underlined that from the first day his assumed his duties, he set as his highest goal the resumption of negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem from the point where they were interrupted in the summer of 2017 in Crans-Montana. ‘It was not easy, after so many years of deadlock and lack of movement, to once again activate the international factor, especially amid two wars which are still shocking the international community,’ he said.
He noted, however, that with method and determination ‘we succeeded in reactivating the international community on the Cyprus problem, as expressed through the initiative undertaken by the UN Secretary-General that is now under way. We achieved this through the clear linkage of EU-Turkey relations with progress on the Cyprus issue and Turkey’s Cyprus-related obligations, as explicitly recorded in the European Council Conclusions,’ he said. He added that this was also achieved through the more active involvement of the European Union in the Cyprus problem, as expressed in the joint letter of the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission to the UN Secretary-General, as well as the appointment of the EU Special Envoy for Cyprus, Johannes Hahn.
He noted that this was also achieved with the reappointment of Maria Ángela Holguín as the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy.
Stating that ‘we are absolutely realistic’ and fully aware of the ‘long and difficult effort’ and the many challenges ahead, the President said that through the initiatives undertaken, ‘we have succeeded in reactivating the international factor and launching processes which we hope and work for to lead to the resumption of substantive negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed framework and, of course, the principles and values of the European Union.’
He recalled that the initiative currently under way would have seemed inconceivable before 2023, when Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, demanded recognition of sovereign equality as a precondition even for discussions or a UN-sponsored meeting.
‘Today, however, there is a window of hope. We may not be at the desired point. I certainly do not underestimate or downplay the challenges and difficulties, but developments keep hope alive and allow us to continue our persistent effort. That is why I am convinced that despite the difficulties and obstacles, the wall of occupation is not impenetrable. We only need to remain serious, persistent, methodical, and focused,’ he stressed.
‘The future belongs to us in a homeland that is changing’
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Alongside the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, the President also referred to efforts to strengthen all the country’s levers of power, both internal and external.
Domestically, he said, there is an ongoing effort for ‘bold and continuous reforms, for the modernization of institutions, for the strengthening of the rule of law, the fight against corruption, the management of migration, the upgrading of our homeland’s deterrent power, investment in social welfare, and of course the consolidation of the sense of security.’
He said that the prerequisite for all this is a strong and resilient economy, built through a responsible fiscal policy that secures growth for the benefit of the people as a whole and allows the pursuit of targeted social policy.
‘I am pleased with the performance of the Cypriot economy, among the highest in Europe, and indeed in the midst of two wars. Growth rate among the highest in Europe, full employment in the labor market, a downward trajectory of public debt, and much more are the result of the responsible economic policy we follow on the basis of social liberalism. This allows us to implement targeted policies to support the vulnerable, the middle class, households, and our businesses,’ he noted.
He added that the continuous upgrades by all major credit rating agencies and praise from European and international institutions amount to a vote of confidence in the country and the Cypriot economy, ‘for which we are all entitled to be proud.’
At the international level, ‘the Republic of Cyprus walks the path of responsibility,’ the President said, noting that Cyprus is assuming an active role as a pillar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East.
‘Cyprus is making use of its geographical position and turning it into a strategic advantage in a region plagued by prolonged crises. As a consistent, predictable, and responsible partner, it remains a reliable and safe harbor. Through specific initiatives, through actions and not words, our homeland is becoming a hub of stability, a transit station for the safe evacuation of civilians, a corridor for humanitarian aid, and a beacon that illuminates the path of peace and cooperation,’ he said.
He emphasized that this is recognized worldwide, and expressed pride that Cyprus walks this ‘path of responsibility.’ ‘And we are determined to expand it – always as part of the solution and never part of the problem,’ he added.
Regarding the upcoming assumption of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union by Cyprus, the President stressed that ‘we are fully prepared to demonstrate in practice that we can assume responsibility for Cyprus and for the European Union,’ adding that ‘I have no doubt that we will fulfill this responsibility with full awareness of today’s needs for the well-being of millions of European citizens, and the pressing need for stronger multilateralism, greater integration, and more cooperation between Europe and the rest of the world, for a stronger, safer, and more autonomous Union.’
President Christodoulides said that today fills us with pride for what our people have achieved over the past 65 years of the Republic of Cyprus’ existence.
‘Together, we give the promise that we will continue the struggle until the long-awaited day of justice, liberation, reunification. We have the capabilities, the optimism, the faith, and the will to make this land again a common homeland for all its lawful residents. We want to, and we can, have a common future with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots in a united homeland, a member state of the European Union, where its principles and values will apply without exception to all,’ he said.
‘We also have the diligence and humanity as a people to be a prosperous and compassionate society. The future belongs to us in a homeland that is changing. Happy Independence Day, Cyprus,’ he concluded.
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.