The current state of affairs in Cyprus cannot be considered a solution to the Cyprus problem and we hope that with the help of the international community, with the help of the US, which plays a decisive role, we will end the Turkish occupation and reunite Cyprus, President Nikos Christodoulides has said. Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting he had in New York with the Archbishop of America, Elpidophoros, Christodoulides underlined that “despite provocations, difficulties and disappointments sometimes, we are here and we will do our utmost to achieve this objective.” On his part, the Archbishop of America said that Hellenism as a whole is suffering with Cyprus, adding that the hopes of Cyprus’ Hellenism and Hellenism in general rely on President Christodoulides, whom he described as a dynamic and charismatic leader. Present at the meeting were the First Lady, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides and the members of the Cypriot delegation. Welcoming Christodoulides, the Archbishop said that it is with great joy and honour that he received at the Archbishopric. On his part, Christodoulides noted the long-standing role which the Archbishopric plays, particularly in the US, as it connects overseas Greeks and Cypriots, pointing out that we rely on the diaspora “in our effort to terminate the Turkish occupation and reunite Cyprus.” He said that forty-nine years that have passed since the Turkish invasion are too many, adding that despite the difficulties and the problems which exist this effort will end when reunification is achieved. Christodoulides noted that “we have launched a new effort aiming to highlight the benefits for everyone, for Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, the region, the EU, the US, from a Cyprus settlement, always on the basis of the agreed framework.” He stressed that “despite provocations, difficulties and disappointments sometimes, we are here and we will do our utmost to achieve this objective.” Christodoulides noted that “the current state of affairs in Cyprus cannot be considered the settlement of the Cyprus problem. It is a situation that carries everyday risks, we see what happens in various areas both at the European and the international level, and we hope that with the help of the international community, with the help of the US, which plays a decisive role we will reach this blessed moment” of reunification, he added. 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
