Cypriots Themselves Must Find Solution To Dispute, Greek Official Tells UN
New York, Sep 27 2008
6:10PM
Only Cypriots themselves can find a solution regarding the Mediterranean island’s reunification, Greece <"http://www.un.org/ga/63/generaldebate/pdf/greece.pdf">said at the United Nations today, welcoming the role played by
the world body in facilitating a “mutually acceptable” solution to the dispute.
“Greece has consistently supported Cyprus in its natural and justified desire to see the withdrawal of all occupation
forces as part of a settlement for its reunification as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with inter-communal equality,
a single sovereignty, a single citizenship, and a single international persona,” said Dora Bakoyannis, Greek Minister
for Foreign Affairs.
Over four decades have passed since the 1974 “invasion of Cyprus,” and “Turkey continues to occupy over one-third of the
island’s territory with nearly 40,000 troops,” characterizing this as an “unacceptable situation.”
Addressing the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate, she noted that UN resolutions and principles exist to serve
as the framework for a solution.
Greece welcomes the recently resumed talks between Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader
Mehmet Ali Talat under UN auspices, Ms. Bakoyannis said.
A successful outcome requires negotiations between the two communities “without artificial deadlines and arbitration,”
she said.
“We shall continue to do everything possible to facilitate a settlement and hope that Turkey will also demonstrate
flexibility and goodwill toward that end,” the Minister said.
The full-fledged negotiations between Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat, which began earlier this month, are slated to
resume on 8 October, with an initial focus on issues of governance and power-sharing.
In May, Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat committed to a partnership that will comprise a Federal Government with a single
international identity, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will
be of equal status.
ENDS