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Cyprus President Warns Against Turkey'S Int

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  • Cyprus President Warns Against Turkey'S Int

    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.
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