Anastasiadis: Turkey is negative in the initiatives for the settlement of the Cyprus problem

It is now even more urgent to take an initiative by the EU, the United Nations and the United States to Cyprusstated on Holy Wednesday (20/4) the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis. However, Ankara has stated in Cyprus that it does not intend to take any initiative to find a solution, according to him.

In statements to reporters after his visit to the “Sotos Hadjiprokopiou” camp in Ceri, Nicosia, and asked if the Greek Cypriot side, given its willingness to resume talks on the Cyprus issue, expects someone to give the “signal” to launch a new process, in the shadow of international developments such as UkrainianPresident Anastasiadis stated: “I have the impression that the Ukrainian crisis is an opportunity for Europeans, Americans, but also the UN to create the conditions for resolving outstanding issues related to the causes of the Ukrainian war..

It is well known that the EU is asking alternative energy sources. These energy sources are offered in the Levantine Basin, in the Eastern Mediterranean, either by Israeli, Egyptian or Cypriot deposits. And not only that, because the pipelines can help, so that we have from the countries of the Arabian Gulf.

Therefore, it is an opportunity, if Mr. Erdogan means what he said yesterday for reasons of impression, and I wish I could refute, to take initiatives. And it was my intention, in addition to the confidence-building measures, to suggest that the EU take the initiative before the war. It is now even more urgent to take an initiative by the EU, the UN and the US, who have said they would like to see Turkey involved in the Mediterranean, so that to delimit the zone of exclusive economic exploitation between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey.

Secondlythe actions taken to be removed, the illegal and illegal actions that are a challenge and thirdthere are the parameters of the UN that give the recipe for a solution, not the one put forward by Turkey, ie the two separate states, but of the bi-communal bi-zonal federation, as long as the conditions are such as to allow the functioning of the state, the independence of the state or dependence on guarantees and, consequently, dependence on third country influences.

We do not want to experience conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina or Lebanon, where similar arrangements with the intended ones have resulted in two non-functional and essentially dead states..

It is in the interest of both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, but also of Turkey, that the solution of the Cyprus problem is based on the principles of the UN, the principles and values ​​of the EU.. If Turkey realizes this, many of the problems that currently exist in Turkey-EU relations will be removed, such as the modernization of the Customs Union, visas, progress in the accession negotiations, progress in energy issues, progress in issues of regional interest, so that we can create conditions of peace and stability “.

For the attitude of Ankara

Asked if there are any positive signs on the part Turkey, the President replied: “Unfortunately, no. “On the contrary, what has been said to us, despite what the President of Turkey said yesterday, is that until the Turkish elections, there is no intention on their part to take any initiative to resolve the Cyprus issue.”

In a journalist’s remark on “friendship attack»Turkey to countries like Israelthe Egypt, his countries of the Arabian Gulf and trying to get pipelines through the occupied territories, and when asked if there were assurances that these plans would not materialize, the President said that “the tripartite partnerships we have developed here also show the magnitude of a sound foreign policy that prevents such phenomena.

Any improvement in relations with either Israel or Egypt, if and when achieved, prevents unilateral action to the detriment of the Republic of Cyprus. And that’s very important. “

Asked whether the issue of the initiative he mentioned in relation to the EU would be raised at the forthcoming European Council, the President said that “I had it in mind for March Council, where the issue was registered, but after the events, the priorities were unfortunately overturned. However, I have informed both the President of the European Council Charles Michel, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, as well as Mrs. Nuland during her recent visit to the Republic of Cyprus “.