Our effort is through an international enlightenment campaign, to get the appropriate reactions from the United Nations, the EU and from countries that can exert influence on the Turkey, in relation to its positions in the Cyprus, which are outside the parameters and resolutions of the UN, said yesterday the President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades.
In his statements to journalists at the «Vassos Lyssarides» Foundation, where he went to sign the book of condolences opened for Vassos Lyssaridis, Asked what the next steps of the government will be in the light of the Turkish positions on the Cyprus problem, the President of the Republic said that «we are starting a campaign of enlightenment on the positions submitted in Geneva. Positions on the part of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots that are outside the parameters set by UN resolutions and Security Council resolutions, but also the terms of reference that they have accepted and the good offices that the UN Secretary General should provide in this regard. Therefore, the effort is to get the appropriate reactions from both the UN and the EU, but not only from countries that can and have the ability to exert influence over Turkey.».
Asked whether things can change, given the tension with which the Turkish side expresses these positions, the President of the Republic said that «the issue is if they have calculated the cost to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots of the isolation to which they are leading them. It is something that is not possible, it is something that cannot be accepted by the international community, not even by the EU», he added:
«I would like to take this opportunity to say something, because listening to Mr Tatar yesterday surprised me. One of the arguments they made during the Geneva meeting was that they are co-founders of the Republic of Cyprus. On the other hand, he felt that I insulted the Turkish Cypriots because I called them my fellow citizens. I would like to ask him one thing: 97 thousand Turkish Cypriots who have the Cypriot identity, the Cypriot passport and enjoy the same benefits as Cypriot European citizens, should be ashamed; How much more should members of his associates who have a Cypriot identity card or Cypriot passport be ashamed? I don't want to get into a debate, but patience has its limits.».
