The President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, briefed the Mayor of Famagusta, Alexis Galanos, and members of the Municipal Council, on the efforts made to start the negotiations and on the issue of Famagusta, in a meeting they had this morning at the Presidential Palace.
In statements, Mr. Galanos said that they were "fully informed" by the President about the issue of Famagusta and about the moves and efforts made by the President, as well as about the Cyprus issue in general, the problems faced and the efforts made for to overcome the intransigence of the other side and start talks.
Especially on the issue of Famagusta, Mr. Galanos referred to the joint statement made by him together with the so-called Turkish Cypriot mayor of Famagusta, Oktay Kayalp.
The Mayor of Famagusta spoke of an "attempt to devalue and degrade the announcement".
Noting that this is the first time such an announcement is issued "for the return of the enclosed part of Famagusta by two mayors", Mr. Galanos said that the announcement "is a very strong message both inside and outside".
As he stated, the announcement will be taken seriously by the various decision-making centers, which "will note that the myth that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can not go together, even at the local level" has been overcome.
He added that the joint announcement was "a very right move in the Cyprus issue" that "in the future will give the momentum we want."
Mr. Galanos welcomed the "political courage" of Mr. Kayalp "to come and shake hands and say 'return to your city based on the UN bake".
He added that "it is time for us to leave the young and the miserable and see the future for our children and not be trapped in various beliefs, prejudices and slogans."
Concluding, Alexis Galanos called on those who do not want a solution to say so clearly. It is time for the masks to fall, he said characteristically.