Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-08-02

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - MAKARIOS - MEMORIAL

[01] CHRISTOFIAS - MAKARIOS - MEMORIAL

In a speech at the memorial service for the first President of the Republic of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios III, President Christofias referred to the relatively short history of the Republic of Cyprus and the life and work of Makarios III, who ``lived 17 years of independence, all as President of the Republic of Cyprus.``

President Christofias referred to the 1974 coup and Turkish invasion. ``Makarios led the anti-occupation struggle for almost three years. A turning point for him was the signing of the first high level agreement in 1977, shortly before his death, by which he accepted the painful compromise of the bizonal, bicommunal federation,`` he said.

``Makarios died struggling for a solution and to avert division,`` President Christofias said, noting that today ``we are implementing a policy for a just, under the circumstances, viable and functional solution, the soonest possible.``

President Christofias said since his election he has taken initiatives, which led to the commencement of direct negotiations with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in UN resolutions, with a single sovereignty, citizenship and international identity.

``In the negotiations we are guided by the principles of international law and the principles and values of the EU, the UN resolutions on Cyprus and the high level agreements,`` he added.

President Christofias expressed the good will of the Greek Cypriot side to reach a good settlement the soonest possible, noting that ``it is not the Greek Cypriot side that is an obstacle to a solution or the one holding the key to the solution in its hands, but Turkey.``

He pointed out that the international community should turn to Turkey, ``calling on it to cooperate for a solution that will be in the interests of the Cypriots.``

``The EU, on the background of Turkey`s accession course, can and must exert its influence on the Turkish leadership to meet the obligations it has undertaken towards the EU and its members, and cooperate for a solution,`` he added.

Referring to the direct negotiations, he said their course so far proves that ``reaching a solution is a difficult aim to meet but is not infeasible.``

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article