RESOLUTION 673 (1978)1
on the situation in Cyprus

The Assembly,

1. Having regard to the report by its Political Affairs Committee on the situation in Cyprus (Doc. 4154), giving an account of the information obtained from the parties directly concerned in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey;
2. Recalling its Recommendation 759 (1975) and its Resolution 615 (1976) concerning the situation in Cyprus;
3. Believing that it must spare no effort, in the exercise of its political responsibilities, in contributing to secure a just and lasting settlement of the Cypriot crisis;
4. Considering that the Cypriot crisis constitutes an unbearable burden:
5. for the people of Cyprus who should not be allowed to suffer any longer from de facto division of the island;
6. for the three countries directly concerned, which should take advantage of the neighbourly relations and of the numerous possibilities for cooperation;
7. for all the members of the Council of Europe, whose aim it is to achieve closer unity between them;
8. Reaffirming its conviction, constantly repeated since 29 July 1974, that direct negotiations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities constitute the best means of reaching a political settlement acceptable both to the Greek Cypriots and to the Turkish Cypriots, and capable of serving as the basis for a just, lasting and peaceful solution, beneficial to the entire Cypriot population;
9. Expressing its wholehearted support for the United Nations efforts to maintain peace and provide humanitarian aid to Cyprus, and underlining in particular the important part played by the Secretary General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, in preparing the way for the resumption of intercommunal negotiations;
10. Welcoming the opening of the recent dialogue, described as friendly and sincere, between the Greek and Turkish Prime Ministers, MM. Karamanlis and Ecevit, and the assertion of the political determination of the two governments to find peaceful and just solutions to the matters at issue;
11. Believes that the present political situation and the joint efforts to create a climate of mutual confidence should encourage the Cypriot communities to resume their intercommunal negotiations;
    
12. Invites the Council of Europe member states to promote this new diplomacy of confidence which should give the two communities an opportunity to prepare together, secure from passions and public pressures, an agreement acceptable to the entire population on the future organisation of an independent Cypriot state.