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Cypriots themselves must find solution to dispute, Greek official tells UN

Cypriots themselves must find solution to dispute, Greek official tells UN

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis of Greece with Assembly President Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann
Only Cypriots themselves can find a solution regarding the Mediterranean island’s reunification, Greece said at the United Nations today, welcoming the role played by the world body in facilitating a “mutually acceptable” solution to the dispute.

Only Cypriots themselves can find a solution regarding the Mediterranean island’s reunification, Greece 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.