The solution of the Cyprus problem should be in full-compliance and without deviation from European values, principles and the acquis, President Nicos Anastasiades has said.
In his intervention on the second day of the European People`s Party (EPP) Congress Plenary in Malta, the president noted that a viable and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem would be in the best interests not only of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots but also of Europe and its future.
It would end the paradox of having an EU member state forcibly divided with the presence of foreign troops and at the same time, ot would enhance Cyprus’ role as security provider in the south-eastern Mediterranean region, he said.
“For the above-mentioned of course, what is required is that the settlement to be reached should be in full-conformity and without any deviations from our European values, principles and the acquis,” he added.
Furthermore, he said Cyprus needed to maintain both an independent foreign policy and its effective-participation in decision-making within the Union, so as not to negatively affect the positive role we have assumed in the overall security architecture of the EU.
“Therefore, in times of increasing internal and external challenges for Europe, I do call on your substantial unity and solidarity so as to turn Cyprus into one of EU’s success story, conveying the message both to our immediate neighbourhood and internationally as to the dynamic potential of our collective strength and what this historic and unique Union of countries represents: “United in diversity,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the EPP for its strong support.
Noting that the theme of the Congress was, “Securing Europe’s Future”, Anastasiades said: “First, we must strengthen our democratic structures and the rule of law, invest in open and pluralistic, cohesive societies and in enhancing democratic security for our citizens; through opposing any form of extremism and not permitting the prevalence of fear and intolerance,” he said.
Secondly, he added, the Union should move closer to its citizens through lessening its complicated and time-consuming bureaucratic procedures, strengthening political accountability and transparency on decision-making and adopting better-targeted policies which will provide to its citizens new opportunities for cultural and social development and economic growth.
Thirdly, unity, he said, is and should remain the cornerstone of the EU.
His fourth point was that the solidarity of the European Union is a fundamental guiding principle and an issue of European credibility.
44 Comments
antonis/ac
March 31, 2017 at 05:29It is impossible to reach an agreement based on European laws and values with Ertogan, a fanatic Islamist whose only objective is to recreate the Ottoman Empire and spread Islam in Europe. The following statement by Burak Bekdi, a Turkish journalist is self-explanatory: “Islamist like Ertogan do not dream of ‘conquering’ infidel lands with fighter jets and tanks and bombs. In this ‘war of religion’ their primary weaponry is demographic change in favor of the Muslims.” Needless to say, Akinci like all of his predecessors is a mere puppet and has no voice in Cyprus.
Oh Come ON!
March 30, 2017 at 17:51EU: But Mr Anastasiades, the current talks are the best chance for a solution that your island has had in decades.
Mr Anastasiades: Yes, yes! But I just want to take a few minutes of your time while I read for you this passage from the old script…
EU: Mr Anastasiades…
Mr Anastasiades: Bear with me, bear with me, you are gonna love it! It’s hillarious!! Now, where was it? Oh yes, aha ahammm…
EU: Groan
Frustrated
March 30, 2017 at 17:44All this man does is trip around the world throwing out repeated, platitudinous sound bites which state the bleeding obvious.
As he’s one part of the duo who can make all these words come to pass, it’s indeed a pity he doesn’t stay at home, get down to it and make it happen. He’s an absolute no-no who has lost the plot and the will to seriously deliver a solution and as a result the trust of the electorate.
TheGermanSwiss
March 30, 2017 at 18:39couldn’t some serious but ordinary people from both sides just meet, have a coffee and work the major issues out? Does all depend on the president?
Frustrated
March 30, 2017 at 18:56In a word, yes.
Trevor
March 30, 2017 at 17:38He is from an island between the Levant and Asia Minor .
It’s geographically not in Europe .
Oh Come ON!
March 30, 2017 at 17:41Wash your filthy mouth out!! 🙂
Trevor
March 30, 2017 at 17:52Facts are facts !
Frederic Harakis
March 30, 2017 at 17:50Ignorance is bliss. Geographibally might be so but certainly not politically. Explain why Israel is regarded a european country.
He is talking about Euripe as a political entity.
Trevor
March 30, 2017 at 17:56Europe ends at the Dardanelles. Israel is not near Europe . Check an atlas !
Barry White
March 30, 2017 at 18:04Europe ends at the Dardanelles? But that then means that Cyprus is not a part of…….
Slomi
March 30, 2017 at 20:48You are right:(
Frederic Harakis
March 30, 2017 at 22:16As I said earlier geographically it is correct but not politically. Do read the other comments
Slomi
March 30, 2017 at 22:46Geography is the eternal reality. Political dynamics change with the time and are hoax.
Frederic Harakis
March 30, 2017 at 23:01Correct but the situation at present is as I stated and no need to be too clever.
Slomi
March 31, 2017 at 20:25It’s not a matter of being clever, This geography is an eternal / scientific reality. Situation at present is merely a political “convenience”.Not A Fact.
Frederic Harakis
March 31, 2017 at 21:39exactly and political dynamics are not a hoax, it is both convenience
and neccesity. SO both Cyprus and Israel are regarded as Europe because
of politics and demography although geographically are in Asia and this is what I had been arguing about. In
upteen geneations matters might change.
By the way and just food for thought I was reading somewhere and saw a Tv program that Greece is sinking in the sea (Pelloponese actually and they call as evidence the ancient cities that are under water now) and Britain is moving towards America. In eons to come if humankind is still around the geography would be different as it was eons ago. So geography is not eternal but in constant change. And IN 500million years the sun will explode because it would have spent all its fuell, and destroy the earth and the whole solar system QED.. Think about it but don’t stay awake and do not torture your little mind
Slomi
March 31, 2017 at 21:54Only Greenland is sinking . No other reported changes .
Frederic Harakis
April 1, 2017 at 11:11Yes I know about it, the rest of what I wrote is theorising by experts as they always do. But at least some of the theories are plausible so I should do more research.
Frederic Harakis
March 30, 2017 at 18:52Do you have a problem with your eyes and you read what suits you?.I am refering to Europe as a political entity NOT geographical
Trevor
March 30, 2017 at 23:35You have a problem . You have referred to my pitiful knowledge .
As a university professor with all the degrees up to Ph. D ,I would take you on any time . Europe is not a political entity . It has become a German empire which is about to implode . Too many of the colonies are only there for the subsidies. Israel is less European than Australia , Canada , New Zealand ,etc which are farther away but closer culturally.
Frederic Harakis
March 31, 2017 at 07:17You are correct but why then Israel is an associte member of the EU, Also Israel takes part in the Eurovision song contest.
By the way you have the same problem which you are attributing to me. I would take you on any time too, I have exactly the same qualifications up to PhD and more. I am now retired. It suits Europe to regard Israel european for all intends and purposes and I am fully aware that most of Europe has become a German empire. But implode? 60/40 against I would say.
I am afraid I cannot offer apologies but shall we call it evens? I would be prepared to let you have details of my qualifications which you can verify.
Trevor
March 31, 2017 at 09:59Good morning !
For the record ,you were the one who referred to my ” pitiful knowledge ” . Anyway I agree to ” call it evens “. Will be away for a week to exercise my right to walk on the grass at Kings .
Have a good day !
Frederic Harakis
March 31, 2017 at 13:52OK I am a generous individual.
Do enjoy your walk and your retirement. I am now off to the gym for exercise
Frederic Harakis
March 31, 2017 at 08:53I did reply but re-reading your response I find it too arrogant.
Israel is rearded as European for 2 main reasons
Demographic – It is mostly populated by the descentants of europeans (jews) immigrants
Political – It would not be accepted, and they would not want to, in any asiatic,group be it political or cultural for obvious reasons.
And I forgot Israel is member of UEFA.
The ‘Demographic’ applies to Cyprus as well, I am not so sure about ‘political’.
Do check your facts and the fact that you might have a PhD is not a passport to mouth out wrong statements and pontificate. During my time I have argued and debated with your likes numerous times but I always checked my facts and always won the argument. With those higher than me it was 50/50.
NO apologies by any means and do not be arrogant with me ever again. I do not suffer fools vewry well.
Really?
March 31, 2017 at 10:24JFYI most Israeli Jews descend from North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. This wasn’t always the case, but has been so for a long time now. Otherwise I agree with you that Israel has a lot in common with Europe politically.
Frederic Harakis
March 31, 2017 at 13:50Many Thanks. I always thought that Israel is mostly populated by the descentants of the european Jews possibly wrongly. But any further debate on this is fruitless in view of your last line
Bjoern Luley
March 30, 2017 at 20:38Who is regarding Israel a european country? Maybe some super zionists! But definitely NOT the wide majority of europeans!
Frederic Harakis
March 30, 2017 at 21:53You should better do some research to enrich your pitiful knowledge
Frederic Harakis
March 30, 2017 at 22:09For starters: Israel is an Associated State of EU. It would not be so if it was not regarded as european.
I suggest not to respond in such a sarcastic manner to me again because I do not suffer ignorants and fools very well
Bjoern Luley
March 31, 2017 at 00:18Answer:
The Associated Countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Faroe Islands, FYR Macedonia, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey.
The 27 EU Member States are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Israel is NOT a european country same as Turkey is not, although west of the Bosporos is the “european part” of Turkey. Israel is part of the Middle East, means: part of Asia!
Vegchef
March 31, 2017 at 11:27But it does have an entry in the European Song Contest!
braveheart
March 31, 2017 at 13:16If you still include the United Kingdom there are 28 EU member states.
Cyprus, as EU member, does not lie in Europe either.
Neroli
April 3, 2017 at 09:49We haven’t left yet!
braveheart
April 3, 2017 at 10:02According to Bjoern Luley’s count you have!
Disruptive
March 30, 2017 at 17:55Mentality is closer to Dubai, in a sense of treating of domestic workers and visitors.
Barry White
March 30, 2017 at 18:02Certainly he is from a land down under the water financially.
Muffin the Mule
March 30, 2017 at 17:32Peddling the same stuff that means nothing.
Didier Ouzaid
March 30, 2017 at 17:28‘he added, the Union should move closer to its citizens through lessening its complicated and time-consuming bureaucratic procedures, strengthening political accountability and transparency on
decision-making’
Someone should tell him which country he presides. Pronto.
Caulkhead
March 30, 2017 at 17:13And who created that paradox?