CYPRUS PRESIDENT WARNS AGAINST TURKEY’S INTERFERENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.06.2008 13:36 GMT+04:00

Cypriot President Demetris Christofias has issued a warning to his
European counterparts over Turkish interference with his efforts,
together with the leader of the Turkish community Mehmet Ali Talat,
to achieve a historic reunification of the island country.

Christofias said his country could become a "paradise" and "a beautiful
bridge" between Europe and the Mediterranean, only if Ankara stops
interfering in his efforts to achieve solution with the Turkish
community on the island.

"If they leave us alone, we can find a solution soon," he said.

Christofias, in Brussels to participate in his second European Council
since his election last February, was speaking at a conference
organized by the European Policy Centre. "With my friend Talal we
speak Cypriot language, we can solve the problem," said Christofias,
adding: "Unfortunately, we are dependent on the will of Turkey."

Christofias explained that ever since a young politician, his political
tendency is to consider Turkish Cypriots not as Greek Cypriots’
enemies but their brothers and sisters.

"I have been fighting for equality of all Cypriots, regardless of
ethnicity and religion," he said, adding humorously that he is now
constantly asked why he bothers to fight for the properties of Greeks
in the Northern part, since Communists should not care about property.

Christofias described his vision, which he said is also the vision
of the Cypriots, Greeks and Turks, for reunification as a federal,
bi-zonal, bi-communal country. Instead, Turkey is pushing for a loose
confederation between two states and trying to upgrade the unrecognized
"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" to the rank of state.

The President of Cyprus also called on Turkey to make a goodwill
gesture by withdrawing half of its troops stationed in the northern
part of the island, which he said stands at 43,000, EurActiv reports.