UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ intention to convene a new expanded conference creates a “clear prospect of returning to the substance of the Cyprus issue,” Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Sunday.
Speaking during a memorial service for the five heroes of Letymbou, Letymbiotis said the renewed momentum is based on a specific political framework, beginning with UN Security Council resolutions, the agreed framework for a settlement and the negotiating acquis reached up to Crans-Montana.
He stressed that the sacrifice of the five heroes serves as a “call for vigilance and a compass for unity,” adding that freedom and justice require national unity, a clear direction, planning and continuous effort.
Cyprus talks a ‘national priority’
Referring to developments on the Cyprus issue, Letymbiotis said that since his first day in office, President Nikos Christodoulides has placed the resumption of negotiations among his highest national priorities.
According to the spokesman, these efforts have produced concrete results, including the appointment of a Personal Envoy, the expanded meetings in Geneva and New York, the personal involvement of the UN Secretary-General and, for the first time in 16 years, a visit by the UN chief to Cyprus.
Letymbiotis said Guterres’ intention to convene another expanded conference now creates a “clear prospect of returning to the substance of the Cyprus issue.”
He stressed that the renewed diplomatic momentum has a defined political basis, grounded in UN Security Council resolutions, the agreed settlement framework and the negotiating acquis reached by the time of the Crans-Montana talks.
“Time does not legitimise the faits accomplis of the invasion, nor will it conceal the pursuit of partition,” he said.
Role of the European Union
Letymbiotis also highlighted the importance of greater European Union involvement in the UN-led process.
He said the conclusions of the European Council, the connection between EU-Turkey relations and progress on the Cyprus issue, as well as the appointment of Raffaele Fitto, have created what he described as “a new political reality.”
“The European perspective and the perpetuation of the occupation are politically incompatible,” he said.
Anyone seeking a meaningful upgrade in relations with the European Union, he added, must demonstrate in practice their respect for international and European law, particularly in Cyprus as a full EU member state.
The Government Spokesman also said the Republic of Cyprus is strengthening itself diplomatically, economically and militarily, with the aim of increasing its negotiating leverage and pursuing an active foreign policy.
“We approach every effort with a sincere willingness to reach a solution and with unwavering commitment to our principles,” he said.
He reiterated that the objective remains “a free and reunified Cyprus, without occupying troops, anachronistic guarantees and rights of intervention.”
Tribute to Letymbou’s five heroes
Referring to the five heroes of the community – Panayiotis Demetriou, Andreas Chrysostomou, Andreas Lardos, Andreas Michael and Sotiris Maratheftis, who has been missing since 1974 – Letymbiotis said Letymbou had sacrificed its children at three critical moments in modern Cypriot history: the October uprising of 1931, the bloody battles of Tillyria in 1964 and the struggle to defend the Republic of Cyprus in 1974.
Three generations, he said, formed “an unbroken chain of honour,” demonstrating that patriotism gains meaning when it is transformed into conscience, service and personal responsibility.
Concluding his address, Letymbiotis said the duty towards the five heroes is to preserve their memory, defend the Republic of Cyprus and continue the struggle for justice.
He pledged that the effort would continue “until final vindication,” with the ultimate goal of the liberation and reunification of Cyprus.
Source: CNA
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