Press Conference by the President of the
Republic
at the UN Headquarters, in New
York
The President of the Republic Mr Nicos Anastasiades gave
on 26 September a press conference at the United Nations headquarters, in New
York. The President of the Republic was introduced to the UN Media
correspondents by the UN Director of the Outreach Division in the Department of
Public Information in New York, Mr Maher Nasser.
In his opening remarks, President Anastasiades briefed reporters
about the meetings he held on the sidelines of the 69 th UN General
Assembly and then he replied to questions by reporters as follows:
Question: I have a bit of a déjà vu
feeling, because I remember last negotiations with Turkey and Greece and
northern Cyprus many, many years ago when I believe you were very close and it
was then blocked. Are you any closer this time? Do you foresee a successful
negotiation that would reunite the north?
President: Nobody could be optimistic or pessimistic. Everything will depend on
the goodwill and the genuine and sincere will of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey
and if they are ready too and they mean business as they state many times, then
I’m sure that we might have a solution the soonest possible. The most important
is to be abided to what we have agreed, and to be constructive in those core
issues where they have to take into consideration the concerns of the Greek
Cypriots, whilst too, ourselves of course, we have to take into consideration
the concerns of our compatriots.
Question : And may I just follow up one second. Can you name some of the
confidence building measures you think we’ll help?
President : Yes, it is the return of the ghost city of Famagusta for example.
At the same time, the operation of the port of Famagusta in favor of our
compatriots In order to export goods to Europe, under always the observation and
presence of the European Union. There are a lot more but the time is limited.
Question: In light of Turkey’s constant criticism and condemnation of Israel,
for, what it claims to be illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and the
settlements, do you think that Turkey should follow its own advice with respect
to northern Cyprus, in other words, do you regard Turkey as engaging in illegal
occupation of northern Cyprus and that the immigrants of Turkey to northern
Cyprus, settlers in sort of analogue in sort of what Turkey is claiming about
Israel?
President: It seems that there are two standards to international law or its
interpretation, giving the chance to
some to consider that some others are violating the international law, whilst at
the same time they, themselves, they are doing the same. So the only I have to
commend is that, if they mean what they are saying about the Palestinians what
they have to do is just to give the example first and above all, themselves.
Question: Thanks for doing the briefing. I want to ask about hydrocarbons.
It’s been said now for more than a year that this issue, and the discovering and
development of hydrocarbons will, somehow, play a role and bring the two sides
together. Has there been any positive development on that?
President : In my view, the hydrocarbons, is one of the most interesting
incentives of the stakeholders on the Cyprus question to help in finding a
solution. The hydrocarbons are belonging to the Cyprus Republic and the people
of the Republic of Cyprus is consisted of Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Therefore,
working towards finding a solution and if shall be successful, that means all
the Cypriots are going to be benefited out of it but as well as Turkey, as well
as our neighborhood, as well as some other interested parties like Europe.
Question: So what’s the next step?
President: What I’m saying is that it’s an incentive. It’s upon the Turkish
Cypriots and Turkey to realize that it is to the best interest of everyone to
see that the country is reunited, that a solution is the best way to get the
advantage of this wealth.
Question : I have two questions. The first one is about European Union and
Turkey as a candidate member for a non-permanent member of the Security Council
and the second question is whether you think that the Americans will press
towards the Famagusta case?
President : It’s not a decision which is going to be taken by the European
Council, if there is such an issue. It is not a matter of the European Union to
decide what the individual member states will do as regards as non-permanent
members of the Security Council of the United Nations. Therefore, I don’t think
that they will give an order, they will call us to decide what we have to do
collectively.
Question : Do you think the United States will press Turkey towards the
Famagusta CBM?
President : They have done so in the past and I’m sure they will continue to
do so and I’m expecting that if there is progress in the dialogue ahead, I’m
sure that the confidence building measures and especially Famagusta is one of
those steps which will give a new impetus to the whole procedure.
Question : Mr. President, I will go back to the question on Turkey’s
candidacy to the Security Council. A
country like Turkey that occupies a member state of the European Union that has
all these problems in the neighborhood and violates for many years the decisions
of the Security Council, is it moral to be a member of the Security
Council?
President : I could not answer or give an answer on behalf of all those who
might vote for Turkey. The question should be very well addressed to all those
who might have the intention to vote, not for those who are objecting due to the
reasons you have mentioned.
Question : Mr. President, in an hour you are going to meet with the Vice
President of the United States Mr. Biden. He is a friend of yours as I
understand. I wanted to know if you can tell us what you are planning to say to
him about Cyprus and the problem of Cyprus.
President: It’s not going to be a secret, I mean what you are asking is the
substantial support by the United States in our effort and to exercise all their
influence on the occupying forces, I mean Turkey, in order to give a boost to
the negotiating process but not only as regards the procedure but as regards as
well as the essence of the problem. And I think the joint declaration is giving
the parameters within which we have to work in order to find a solution. At the
same time the acquis is guidance and the principles and values of the European
Union for a member state country which is divided, I think it will be the best
of guidance in order to protect the human rights of all lawful citizens of the
Republic of Cyprus, either these are Greek or Turkish Cypriots or from any other
European country.
Thank you
.
