Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-09-20

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - UN - SPEECH

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - UN - SPEECH

Speaking during the General Debate of the 61st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President Papadopoulos said Cyprus had hoped that by now the accession course of Turkey to the European Union would have taken its catalytic effect, and invited Ankara to recognise that there is no room for military doctrines with regard to the Cyprus question and to seek a lasting solution for the benefit of all Cypriots, Turkey and of the region.

President Papadopoulos clarified that the Cyprus question is ``a problem of invasion and continuing occupation, by Turkish military forces, of 37% of the territory of my country for more than thirty-two years now,`` noting that it is ``mistaken by some for a protracted conflict.``

``The Cyprus problem essentially epitomises the inability of the international community to redress this set of massive violations of international legality,`` he added.

He noted that ``in seeking a fair and viable resolution of the core and substantive issues comprising the Cyprus problem, we should avoid inherent shortcomings which flawed the last negotiating effort undertaken by the UN and which diverted attention from basic principles that must be upheld.``

President Papadopoulos assured that ``the Greek Cypriots remain committed to reunification through a functional bi-zonal, bi-communal federation`` and noted that ``the failure of the last initiative did not alter our commitment, nor our willingness to work resolutely towards the reunification of our country.``

He also said that the UN solution plan, known as the Annan plan, which was rejected by the Greek Cypriot community in a referendum, ``was not accepted precisely because it did not provide for the reunification of our divided country nor addressed core issues and key concerns in a satisfactory manner`` and that ``the search for a settlement firmly remains for us in the UN framework, within the context of the good offices mission mandated to the Secretary General by the Security Council.``

``We had hoped that by now, the accession course of Turkey to the EU would have taken its catalytic effect producing the necessary political will on her behalf and changing their perception of Cyprus from that of an adversary to that of a partner, a valuable neighbour and a potential ally in the EU,`` he said.

President Papadopoulos added that ``we maintain our expectation of Turkey to at least proceed with the implementation of its legally binding obligations vis-a-vis the EU,`` noting that ``this is a unique opportunity for them to prove their willingness to turn the page by meeting obligations that they undertook years ago.``

``I once again invite Turkey to recognise that there is no room for military doctrines with regards to the Cyprus question and to join us in seeking a lasting solution for the benefit of all Cypriots, Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike, of Turkey and of our entire region``, he said.

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