Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, invited on Wednesday, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan to work together, guided by a vision of peace, and to build a brighter future for their countries, through dialogue, and respect of international legality. Addressing the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, in New York, Christodoulides stressed that 'working towards peace in Cyprus is my absolute priority, and I want to take this opportunity to also send a personal message to President Erdogan.' 'There is not, and there will never be another basis for settlement of the Cyprus question other than that dictated by the United Nations Security Council resolutions. Dear Mr. Erdogan, illegality stemming from invasion, aggression and use of force cannot be recognized,' he added. Christodoulides stressed that 'as the Security Council has resolved, it is high time for the UN to become a driving force of dialogue, by appointing, as a first step, an envoy on the Cyprus problem, to explore and prepare the ground for the resumption of negotiations.' He assured that he stands ready 'to negotiate boldly and courageously on the Cyprus question, in good faith, always within the agreed UN framework and in full respect of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that call for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.' 'At a time when international legality is under attack, international law, the UN Security Council Resolutions must prevail', he added. 'I am committed to negotiating a settlement that will safeguard the fundamental freedoms and human rights, the interests of all my Cypriots compatriots - Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins - all equal. A comprehensive settlement that will allow them to prosper in coexistence and peace, free of anachronistic dependencies and system of guarantees that have no place in a European country,' Christodoulides underlined. As he said 'that is why resumption of peace negotiations based on the agreed framework, preserving the acquis of the previous round of negotiations, is essential.' Furthermore, he stressed that 'the United Nations and its Secretary General have the responsibility, prescribed in the UN Charter, to act as catalysts for peace in Cyprus.' 'In doing so, it can be facilitated by the European Union, which also has the tools necessary and which has expressed its commitment to deliver, so as to reunify its last divided member state,' he added. 'Just like the United Nations, the European Union is also a project of peace. The Union can and must act decisively, with all means at its disposal to drive reunification of its last divided member state, and in doing so contribute to peace in Europe, the wider Middle East, and indeed the world,' the President said. 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