Cyprus will not be drawn into talks under threat

The President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has made it crystal clear that he will not be forced to return to the negotiating table, under threat or blackmail, expressing at the same time regret that the UN Secretary General has adopted the “logic of blackmail.”

Reiterating his commitment to a political settlement which would reunite Cyprus, he also said some quarters have ignored Turkey`s blatant violation of the Republic`s sovereign rights, in particular with regard to Nicosia`s exclusive economic zone.

“Ι will not succumb, under any circumstances, to threats or blackmail in order to be drawn into negotiations”, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has stressed, reacting to the UN Secretary General`s report on the UN operation in Cyprus.

In an interview with Mega TV after the report was issued officially, President Anastasiades revealed that in New York last September he was given promises by the UN Secretary General, the UNSG Special Advisor Espen Barth Eide, the US Secretary of State John Kerry, the US Vice President Joe Baden, the Russian Foreign Minister that Turkey would be willing to move forward in the negotiations, which were set to begin on October 9.

In addition, President Anastasiades revealed that an Ambassador of a great power informed him that Turkey was ready to lift the embargo on ships carrying the Cyprus flags. Instead, five days later Turkey issued a Navigational Telex or NAVTEX, committing parts of the Republic`s exclusive economic zone.

President Anastasiades pointed out that it is inconceivable for everybody, on one hand, to recognize the illegality of Turkey`s move and at the same time invite the Greek Cypriot side to participate in a dialogue under these conditions.

Replying to a question, President Anastasiades said he believes that, having seen his support of a UN-proposed solution plan (the Annan Plan) in 2004 which most Greek Cypriots rejected, he would have accepted any kind of solution.

“I am determined to find a solution and I have made this clear, he said, adding that the UN instead of recognising his proven good will, they assume that he would accept any kind of proposal in order to satisfy their own interests.

Asked if he agrees now with a proposal for a change in the strategy of the Greek Cypriot side on the Cyprus issue, President Anastasiades said that “we have chosen the path of dialogue. On the other hand Turkish intransigence is well known.”

“It is unthinkable for some people to ignore Turkey`s provocations and exert pressure on the President to change his policy, or consider that his policy has failed”, he added.

“We are not looking for any solution. We want a solution that leaves no winners and no losers. We do not want a solution which will be the product of blackmail and the will of the powerful”, he said.

The President stressed the need for unity on the internal front and added that “we should not abandon the logic of a solution based on the legality of international law and adopt the logic of the blackmail, as unfortunately has been adopted by the UN Secretary General.”

President Anastasiades suspended his participation in the UN-led peace talks following a Navigational Telex or NAVTEX, issued by Turkey in October last year, as Turkish seismic research vessel “Barbaros” violated the Republic’s exclusive economic zone.

Repeated calls for the withdrawal of “Barbaros” went unheeded by Ankara, which announced recently the NAVTEX`s extension until April 6, 2015.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, in spite of numerous calls by the EU, which Ankara aspires to join, to do so and normalise relations with Nicosia.
http://www.parikiaki.com/2015/01/cyprus-will-not-be-drawn-into-talks-under-threat/#sthash.mGvVtqIx.dpuf
16/1/15
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