The
President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, assured that the joint
declaration of 11 February is in line with the most provisions of the unanimous
decision of 18 September 2009 of the National Council, with the exception of
some issues of substance which will be discussed further on as substantive
issues of the dialogue.
Addressing
the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots he stressed that the cooperation
and vision of everyone are needed and that they all need to realize that the
reunification of Cyprus, political stability and the creation of a modern
European state will not be against or in favour of one or the other community. They
will be in favour of the Cypriot people as a whole, Greek Cypriots, Turkish
Cypriots, or any other lawful inhabitants of this country.
Responding
to press questions during yesterday’s press conference regarding the joint
declaration of 11 February, President Anastasiades said, replying to a relevant
question, that in paragraph 7 of the joint declaration, reference is being made
to the commitment to efforts to implement confidence building measures, which
will provide a dynamic impetus to the prospect of a united Cyprus. Making
reference to the press release issued by the White House, and US President
Obama’s statement in particular, as well as to other press releases making
clear reference to confidence building measures, he asserted that through
public statements such as the aforesaid the significance of substantive
confidence building measures has been comprehended. “Consequently, I believe
that with the beginning of the dialogue an effort will be made – because we
will not be at ease until there is – by countries which can exert influence at
the decision-making centres so as to achieve in parallel both simultaneous and
substantive confidence building measures that will provide a new impetus to the
ongoing dialogue”, he added.
Asked
to say whether the confidence building measures might possibly include the learning
of the Turkish and Greek languages, in the two sides respectively, President
Anastasiades recalled that “the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus foresees
that the official languages of the Republic of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish”,
and added that an encouragement to learn the two languages is possible since
“we would like to have a common language of communication”. He also cited the
example of Ireland where a “truth reconciliation committee” was established,
adding: “We will try in every way to see how to build bridges and how to create
the conditions that restore the trust that has been compromised”.
Questioned whether the new round of
talks are going to result in the cessation or in the suspension of the ongoing
procedures concerning natural gas, President Anastasiades said that the
standing agreements have been signed with the legitimate Government of the
recognized Cypriot state therefore in the absence of any ambiguities the
interest remains high.
In response to those claiming that
the resumption of the dialogue may result to the delay of the research by
companies on the subject of natural gas, he stated that: “ENI has informed us
that possibly it will expedite its exploratory procedures from October to
August of this year. Therefore there is no reason for any delays or suspension
in these processes.”
Answering to a question concerning
those eligible to vote in a future referendum in the Turkish side Mr
Anastasiades stated: “It is clear that those who have not been naturalized
because they are not citizens of the Republic of Cyprus are not eligible to
vote. To be able to participate in a referendum in either community one has to
be a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus. This is another development that dome
dispute but the text does not allow any misconceptions when clearly formulated.
Our position is clear that if someone is not a citizen of the Republic of
Cyprus he cannot participate in the referendum".
Asked about the role of the international community and if the developments in the region dictate the need for a solution to the Cyprus problem, the President said: "The whole process is under the auspices of the UN. Without a doubt the role of either the EU or the U.S. or even that of other countries such as Russia, France, Britain, will be supportive. What matters is that they have been activated. I know that the fact that the Eastern Mediterranean region is rich with natural gas or oil, resulted in many countries showing an interest. The solution of the Cyprus Problem also creates new prospects for other unsolved problems in our neighborhood. "
For the intended role of the EU in
the process of resolving the Cyprus problem, the President of the Republic
said: “Our appeal and our request, which
was repeatedly submitted to Mr Barroso, Mr Van Rompuy, Mr Schultz and to groups
of the European Parliament, to the European People’s Party and others, was the
upgrading of the instructions of Mr Barroso’s representative so that the EU has
a more auxiliary active involvement, that is, control of the compatibility of
the proposals submitted, with the European acquis, the European principles and
values. This is what we pursued and I
think this is what was clearly stated in yesterday’s joint statement by Mr Van
Rompuy and Mr Barroso. The United
Nations are not substituted but the EU will play a supportive role, an
important one I can say, precisely regarding the compatibility of the
proposals.”
Responding to another relevant
question, the President of the Republic clarified that any objections by the
Cypriot Government on opening chapters concerning Turkey’s accession course
remain and will remain until Ankara implements the Ankara Protocol. There has not been any promise or commitment
to unfreeze chapters, he added.
On the possibility of respective
meetings between the two sides’ negotiators in Athens and Ankara, President
Anastasiades said: “I realize that our negotiator’s meeting will be with the
Permanent Secretary of Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and of course,
respectively, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Greece will meet with the Turkish Cypriot interlocutor. You understand that if Greece possessed, it
would have to give also. Greece will
hold a supportive, consulting role and I do not think it can be claimed that it
could yield anything not in its powers to yield.
To a question if Troika’s schedule
affects the talks, the President of the Republic mentioned that for the talks
with Troika there is a competent Minister who handles them, in concert with the
decisions of the Council of Ministers.
On issues of the Cyprus problem, he added, there is an interlocutor, as
well as the President of the Republic, legal counsels and the National
Council. “What we wanted was to create
conditions of stability and certainty.
To be confident that we do not depend from the fulfillment of our
obligations from the loan agreement.”
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