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Anastasiades to seek solution until his last day in office

ΠτΔ – Αρχιεπισκοπικές Εκλογές // por
Former President Nicos Anastasiades

In the past decade no opportunity on the Cyprus problem has been left untapped, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Sunday.

Speaking to the political magazine Politikoi, he said until his last day in office he will seek a solution to the Cyprus problem, or at least create the conditions so that the next president can continue efforts made, based on the Guterres framework.

“I will continue until the end of my mandate to put forward creative proposals that in the first phase will reduce the gap between the two sides and allow for the existence of conditions for healthy dialogue. This is the aim of my proposals for Confidence Building Measures, which I submitted, unfortunately without a positive response from the other side,” he said.

He recalled that it is our determination that led the negotiation to Crans Montana, where all the major issues concerning the Cyprus problem were raised for the first time, with security as a priority.

He said even as talks collapsed in Cans Montana he declared the will to resume dialogue. “What was missing was Turkey’s political will,” he said.

He reiterated that a solution to the Cyprus problem can be of benefit not only to Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots but also to Turkey itself and the wider region, as long as Turkey abandons its goal of two states.

Anastasiades also said that Cyprus, due to its strategic position and excellent relations and long-term cooperation in the field of energy with neighbouring countries at bilateral, regional and multilateral level, is ready to contribute and be an active part of the energy solutions that our region has to offer.

“From these cooperations no country is excluded provided that its participation will take place within the framework of mutual respect for the rights of the countries of the region, international law, especially in this case the law of the sea and with respect for good neighbourly relations,” he said.

He also said that through the development of the island’s foreign policy relations with the USA are at a high point. “We succeeded in lifting an embargo on the Republic of Cyprus, which was a burden on Cyprus-US relations. We put Cyprus at the core of the New European Defence Architecture,” he said.

He added that Cyprus is now stronger and more reliable in Europe and in the world.

Referring to internal policy, he said his ten years have reflected a period of crises, recalling that as soon as he took over he was called upon to deal with the economic crisis, the pandemic followed, while since last spring we have been facing the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“The policies we have followed and are following allow us to manage as best as possible the unforeseen situations that have arisen. The Cypriot economy is recording excellent results, a fact that is also pointed out by the international rating agencies,” he said.

“Cyprus has changed its face in recent years,” he concluded. “In our effort we certainly committed mistakes, mistakes that I do not believe are capable of changing the big picture of progress, prosperity and stability”.

 

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