The Greek Cypriot side is ready and determined to return to talks, working tirelessly and methodically, with the main objective of a solution that will allow all Cypriots to live in security and peace, Transport, Communications and Works Minister Alexis Vafeades said on Friday. He was addressing a memorial service for the fallen of the Municipality of Morphou during the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974. According to Vafeades, today is a day of remembrance and reflection, as 50 years have passed since this tragic period in modern Cypriot history. "Fifty years later we are still asking for vindication. We owe it to the 26 martyrs and 13 missing persons of Morphou," he noted. Turkey's intransigent stance continues to be a serious obstacle to the resumption of negotiations, despite the clear intention and determination of the Greek Cypriot side, the Transport Minister continued, adding that since the first moment he took office, the President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides has undertaken a series of initiatives aimed at an immediate return to dialogue, based on the agreed framework and respecting the principles and values of the European Union and international law. "President Christodoulides' contacts with both European leaders and international partners are aimed at strengthening efforts to resume talks and find a viable solution, as provided for by United Nations Resolutions and European Law. The President seeks the more active involvement of the European Union, using its political and economic tools to overcome the deadlock caused by Turkish intransigence", he said. He added that the European Union, in the framework of the UN Security Council Resolutions, can make a decisive contribution to achieving concrete results that will lead to the resumption of talks and the final settlement of the Cyprus problem, for the benefit of all Cypriots. He also said that the Greek Cypriot side is ready and determined to return to the talks, working tirelessly and methodically, "with the main objective of a sol ution that will allow all Cypriots to live in security and peace, especially in our beloved Morphou." Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. Source : Cyprus News Agency
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