He will do everything possible, for a solution based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, compatible with the principles and values of the EU and the Community acquis, a solution of a Bizonal, Bicommunal Federation, the President of the Republic, Nikos, said on Tuesday Christodoulidis in his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the World Conference of Diaspora Cypriots.
President Christodoulidis also said that the expatriate community is "very high" in the Government's priorities.
In his speech, the President said that it is "with particular emotion" and joy that he participates for the first time in his capacity as President of the Republic of Cyprus, in the Opening Ceremony of the World Congress of Diaspora Cypriots.
He said that he had the "blessing", initially as a student, to get to know the Cypriot community in the US, and then as a diplomat the community in London and Athens, "therefore I know very well what expatriation means, what it means to properly exploit expatriation , especially in the current phase, where we are in a transitional period, if you will, with the new generation of our parish, our emigrants, slowly taking the reins".
"Through our many years of cooperation, I have known and experienced the great and selfless love and concern of all of you for our country, for our Cyprus and your efforts primarily for the end of the occupation and the reunification of our country", he said, noting the unity that the diaspora possesses when it comes to Cyprus.
He expressed the hope, at some point here in Cyprus, "to follow your own example and operate on the basis of your own behavior, especially when we work on the big national issues".
He said that the Cypriots of the diaspora are, "regardless of the Government in Cyprus, the unshakable pillar of support, support and promotion of our homeland throughout the world".
This year's Conference, he noted, "is being held in a critical phase for the Cyprus issue". In recent days, Turkey has been trying to create new fait accompli, essentially expanding the territory occupied by the Republic of Cyprus, he said, noting that if one sees Turkey's reaction to the decisions of the UN Security Council, "it is now clear to everyone that what is being done in Cyprus is not the responsibility of the Turkish Cypriots, but the responsibility of Turkey."
President Christodoulidis expressed his satisfaction for yesterday's announcement by the United Nations Security Council, and for "the massive international reaction to the Turkish plans, the clear response to Mr. Erdogan and the occupying regime, but also the recognition by the international community ». "Because we are not alone in the international system, we are not the center of the world, we live in an anarchic international system and we must if we want to defend our country's interests to recognize both regional and international facts," he said. President Christodoulidis said that he considers it "important" to mention the recognition by the international community "of our cool and very serious approach which aimed, in addition to preventing the fait accompli that we will never accept, the honest indication of our intentions, of of our seriousness and readiness, for the resumption of talks". Because the Cyprus issue cannot be resolved outside the framework of negotiations, he added.
He also said that he chooses "consciously" not to follow a communicative management of the Cypriot issue and that he prefers the international community to respond to the Turkish President and the occupying regime "because, as I have pointed out many times, and I will not stop emphasizing it, but above all to I am working hard, my only concern and priority, and I think this reflects everyone's wishes, is to end the occupation through the resumption of talks, to achieve what we all want which is nothing other than the much-desired liberation, the sought solution and the reunification of our homeland".
"Under no circumstances do we compromise with the occupation and its tragic consequences," he said, adding that this is his promise to all Cypriots in the Diaspora, but also to the entire Cypriot people, and especially the new generation.
"I therefore want there to be no doubt that I will do everything possible, intensively and methodically for a solution on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, compatible with the principles and values of the EU and the acquis communautaire, a solution Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation", he said, "a functional and sustainable solution, for an EU member state and which will continue to be even after the solution of the Cyprus problem".
He said that, for him, the prospect of resolving the Cyprus issue "is a one-way street". "The division of Cyprus as a result of the invasion and occupation by Turkey is a huge anomaly in the heart of Europe and cannot under any circumstances be the future of our homeland," he added.
"Our efforts", he said, are focused on breaking the deadlock, through a leading role of the EU, noting that "it is not accidental at all, and of course always within the framework of the United Nations".
And it is precisely for this reason that immediately after assuming his duties, he said, "we started a great diplomatic effort, with the aim of mutual benefit for all involved". Unfortunately, he said, it is not international law which determines the policies of any country. "So, that is why we focus on the EU with the aim of mutual benefit for all involved in the Cyprus issue through the security, stability and prosperity that the solution of the Cyprus issue can offer us," he said.
In particular, the goal is the interconnection of Euro-Turkish relations with the resumption of negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus issue, always on the basis of the agreed form of solution with a content of European specifications, he said.
"It is important that our European partners approach the issue from the same perspective, that is, that any progress in Euro-Turkish relations, which is very important for Turkey, is intertwined with positive developments in the Cyprus issue," he added.
"So we are working for developments that will transform the European citizens of Cyprus into first-class citizens and not second-class citizens, as they are today, since after so many years we are still deprived of basic human rights and basic freedoms in our own homeland," said the President Christodoulidis. He added that it is within this context that he considers both the United Nations General Assembly in September, as well as the European Council in October, "to be of decisive, pivotal importance for the prospect of resuming talks."
He also referred to the role of Cypriot expatriates in the Cyprus issue.
"You have a very important role to play, as you have been doing and continue to do for many years. A role that as a State we must support and strengthen so that our expatriate community is utilized to the maximum extent", he said.
Besides, he added, "many positive developments, whether concerning our bilateral relations with the USA or with other states, started through your own actions."
Regarding the governance of the country, he said that he will go through these five years, "ready to work with all the parliamentary parties, with the world, with society, in constant consultation, without populism, without nice words, but neither divisive approaches ». "My pre-election program is my social contract with the Cypriot people and on the basis of this I and all the members of the Council of Ministers will proceed," he said.
He noted that, in this course of his administration, "our diaspora, our emigrants, are very high in our priorities" and he assured of the Government's continuous consultation with them, the exchange of views and the support of their efforts.
Diaspora Museum/ Online Platform of Diaspora Cypriots
President Christodoulidis announced the creation of the Diaspora Museum, which in a preliminary stage will be online and will host a very large volume and quality of written, audio, audiovisual and television, and electronic material that has been available since the first World Diaspora Conference in 1976 until today.
He said that the first phase of the creation of the Museum, the online one, will take place within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation with the University of Cyprus.
He also announced the publication of the Diaspora Cypriot Online Platform, which is divided into two separate platforms, "the Record of Diaspora Cypriots" and the "Learn Your Roots" Page, with an educational and entertainment main character.
The platform will be available from Wednesday, he said.
Source: KYPE