A serious multi-layered effort is under way, both in public and behind the scenes, based on a specific plan by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, to convene a new expanded conference on Cyprus during the summer that would lead to the resumption of negotiations with a view to achieving a settlement, Presidential Press Office Director Victor Papadopoulos said.
Speaking at a memorial service for those who fell in Pella Pais and for the officers, non-commissioned officers and commandos of the 33rd Commando Squadron at Agios Eleftherios Church in Mouttagiaka, Papadopoulos said that "the current moment is critical and decisive for the course of our national issue."
"There is a serious multi-level effort under way, both publicly and behind the scenes, based on a specific plan by the Secretary-General, aimed at convening a new expanded conference on Cyprus during the summer that will lead to the resumption of negotiations in a manner that creates prospects for a solution," he said.
Addressing the congregation, he said that President Nikos Christodoulides, who since his first day in office has remained firmly committed to the goal of Cyprus' liberation and reunification, initiated efforts to break the deadlock and restart a new initiative by the UN Secretary-General.
The sole purpose, he said, is the resumption of substantive negotiations leading to a Cyprus settlement based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the convergences achieved up to the collapse of talks at Crans-Montana, the European acquis and European principles and values.
Papadopoulos added that, faced with years of deadlock and the Turkish side's insistence on a settlement outside the agreed UN framework, namely a two-state solution, President Christodoulides correctly recognised that conditions needed to be created for the Secretary-General to see a viable prospect and re-engage in a new initiative.
At the same time, he said, incentives had to be created to encourage a shift in Turkey's position without the Greek Cypriot side making concessions on the substance of the Cyprus issue or on the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.
According to Papadopoulos, a major effort was therefore launched to ensure that the necessary guarantees would be provided by the European Union and that the EU would become effectively involved in the process.
"The foreign policy pursued by the Christodoulides government, with a clear Western and European orientation and without hesitation, together with the credible manner in which the Republic of Cyprus has conducted itself within the European Union, has produced results," he said.
He noted that the Cyprus issue was explicitly linked in the conclusions of the European Council in April 2024 with Turkey's broader European aspirations and objectives.
"This created the incentives needed by the Secretary-General to launch a new initiative aimed at changing Turkey's position," he said.
Papadopoulos stressed that, despite the difficulties that nobody underestimates, a new effort by the UN Secretary-General is now under way.
He said this became possible through actions taken to break the impasse and restart negotiations in a way that creates a visible prospect for resolving the Cyprus issue through a functional and viable solution within the framework of UN resolutions, the European acquis and European principles and values.
"The President of the Republic, with proven political will, is doing everything possible to ensure the success of the new effort by Mr Guterres and his personal envoy, María Ángela Holguín," he said.
He added that the greatest possible unity between the political leadership and the people is a necessary condition for achieving the common objective of ending the occupation.
Papadopoulos emphasised that unity on the domestic front is an essential prerequisite for success, adding that no other political consideration should outweigh the national goal of liberation and reunification.
He also devoted part of his address to the sacrifice of those who fell at Pella Pais and members of the 33rd Commando Squadron, stressing that their memory is not merely a historical reference but an enduring responsibility.
"We honour the heroes who stood firm against the invader, choosing duty over safety and dignity over retreat," he said.
He referenced specific individuals and events linked to the 1974 Turkish invasion.
Papadopoulos also referred to Operation "LAVIDA" and the missions carried out by the 33rd Commando Squadron in the Pentadaktylos mountains, noting that the commandos operated under extremely difficult conditions, achieved significant objectives, but were left without the reinforcements they needed.
Concluding his address, he said the state must continue striving for a free, reunited and peaceful Cyprus.
"The greatest tribute to those who fell is the preservation of historical memory and the continuation of the struggle without forgetting and without retreating from our principles," he said.
Source: CNA
