It is a great honour to
address the General Assembly for the first time in my
capacity as President of the Republic of Cyprus.
While it is realistic and pragmatic to acknowledge
that in an anarchic international system the political
and economic leverage and might of States, or even
of international organizations, are asymmetric
and unequal, one should never forget the founding
principles of the Charter of the Organization, which
were formulated as a result of the traumatic historic
experiences of two world wars.
Bearing in mind the aim of promoting the
fundamental United Nations principles, I would like to
share my deep concern regarding what is happening in
various parts of the world, threatening the sovereignty of
States and regional and global stability through, among
other things, acts of State violence, acts of terrorism,
the infringement and calling into question of sovereign
rights enjoyed by States, the annexation of territories
through the illegal use of force, the production and
use of weapons of mass destruction, the sponsoring
and harbouring of secessionist or terrorist movements,
religious fundamentalism manifested through terrorist
attacks, the forcible displacement of millions of people,
and hunger and distress, which intensify migration
flows and create demographic changes.
These are but a few examples that bear out the
need to evaluate, through collective debate and self-
assessment, whether the United Nations principles,
values and methods have indeed contributed to what we
have all been hoping for — the maintenance of peace
and security and respect for the fundamental freedoms
and human rights of all people.
I am not a romantic ideologist; quite the contrary,
I am a pragmatic realist who acknowledges that in this
imperfect world it is extremely difficult, even impossible,
to expect the full and unquestioning implementation of
United Nations principles and values. However, what
is happening today risks overthrowing the current
world order, calling into question the relevance and
effectiveness of this international Organization.
It is not my intention to cast doubt on or minimize
the multidimensional contribution of the United Nations
to a plethora of cases over the past seven decades. What
is important is to enhance the Organization’s role and
safeguard the effectiveness of its decisions, as well
as its actions. Should decisions or resolutions based
on international law condemning violations of human
rights not be implemented or enforced, that could be
seen as fostering or even rewarding arbitrariness. In
that case, regional differences and conflicts could be
prolonged indefinitely, serving the petty interests and
expedience of their perpetrators at the expense of
international law and our universal principles.
I do not intend to enter into detail of what we are
witnessing and experiencing every day in different
parts of the world. I will limit myself to the example
of my own country, a small European country that has
for almost 40 years been violently divided, despite
numerous Security Council resolutions calling for its
reunification and the withdrawal of the occupation
forces.
I take this opportunity to assure the General
Assembly that, despite the current economic difficulties
we are facing, I am committed to working tirelessly
and with determination to reach a viable and lasting
settlement so that all the communities of Cyprus may
live and thrive in a modern European country that fully
respects the values and principles of the United Nations
and the European Union, safeguards the fundamental
freedoms and human rights of all its people, and
ensures their peaceful coexistence and prosperous
collaboration.
As I have already conveyed to the Secretary-
General, it is my firm belief that the current status quo
is unacceptable and that its prolongation would have
further negative consequences for Greek and Turkish
Cypriots. Therefore, a comprehensive settlement is not
only desirable, but should not be further delayed. In
that respect, I wish, as a leader with a sincere vision
of reuniting my country, to once more call on Turkey
and our Cypriot compatriots to demonstrate the same
determination and commitment and become partners in
the effort for the reunification of a peaceful, secure and
prosperous homeland.
The reference made by the President of the Republic
of Turkey, Mr. Abdullah Gül, in this very Hall (see
A/68/PV.5) to the 2004 proposal that, through genuine
democratic procedures, was not accepted by the vast
majority of Greek Cypriots for a number of substantive
reasons, does not absolve Turkey from its obligations
and responsibilities concerning the efforts to find a just
solution and does not truly reflect the realities on the
ground, as borne out by the relevant United Nations
resolutions.
Nonetheless, I welcome the decision of Turkey to
respond positively to my proposal to hold meetings with
the negotiator of the Greek Cypriot community. I hope,
and at the same time expect, that this positive response
will be followed by practical and substantial steps and
the adoption of a constructive attitude, guided by good
faith, that will contribute effectively towards reaching
a settlement.
In that respect, it is my strong belief that it is of
paramount significance that a dynamic impetus be
launched, either before or even during the negotiating
process, in order to restore the confidence of the people
of Cyprus in the prospect of reaching a settlement. Such
an impetus can be achieved only through the adoption
of bold measures that are seen as game-changers and
as creating a win-win situation, not only for both
communities but also for all interested stakeholders.
With that in mind, I have submitted a package
proposal that, among other things, includes the return
of the ghost city of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants,
under the auspices of the United Nations and in line
with Security Council resolution 550 (1984). The return
of Famagusta, along with the evident advantage of
reviving the hope of the people of Cyprus, will also
provide a number of benefits. The infrastructural
restoration of a city that has been uninhabited for 39
years will undoubtedly lead to the creation of new jobs
in a wide variety of professional fields, providing a
major boost to the economy of the country. At the same
time, by working together, building mutual trust and
enjoying the results of joint collaboration, Greek and
Turkish Cypriots will come closer to the realization of
the benefits of sharing together a prosperous future,
just as we have done in the past.
I believe that the Assembly shares my assessment
that this proposal, which is complementary to
the negotiating process, is to the benefit of both
communities and that its acceptance would provide a
much-needed stimulus to the prospect of reaching a
settlement. At the same time, in order to avoid entering
into a new frustrating negotiating process, the time for
the start of the negotiations is not as important as that
they be conducted in a comprehensive manner with
clear substance, aims and targets.
To that end, I consider it essential that, before the
start of the negotiating process, it be clearly established
that the basis and solution to be reached will adhere
to the relevant United Nations resolutions, the high-
level agreements and the evolving transformation of
the Republic of Cyprus into a bi-zonal, bi-communal
federal State with a single international personality,
single sovereignty and single citizenship. Moreover,
the settlement must embody our capacity as a European
Union (EU) member State and fully enshrine its
values and principles by enhancing the role of the EU
in the negotiating process. I have to clarify that such
a role played by the European Union would merely
supplement and complement the United Nations good
offices mission in order to guarantee not only our
effective and efficient participation in the European
Union, through the proper implementation of the
acquis communautaire, but also the restoration of the
fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Cypriots.
Last but not least, an important humanitarian
aspect of the Cyprus problem is the issue of missing
persons. We salute the progress achieved so far. The
issue must be resolved as soon as possible, regardless
of the developments in the negotiations.
The positive and stabilizing role that Cyprus can
assume in the eastern Mediterranean — especially
in the areas of combatting terrorism, fighting the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and
providing humanitarian assistance —has in the past
few months received extensive recognition. Keeping
Cyprus peaceful and stable and maintaining its
constructive regional role is a primary objective of my
Government. We have proven that we are a reliable
and interconnecting bridge between Europe, North
Africa and the Near and Middle Easts — in terms of
both perception and actions — as well as a credible
and stable country that gives true credence to being
a safe haven. That has been demonstrated in practice
several times during periods of massive humanitarian
evacuations. We stand ready once more, if it is deemed
necessary — and hopefully it will not be — to contribute
in a substantive manner to any international call to
provide humanitarian aid and facilities to the nationals
of any third country.
A recent and most encouraging development in our
area is taking place in the field of energy cooperation.
The very promising potential of hydrocarbon
exploration in the Levantine basin requires that all
countries in the region work closely together, bilaterally
and regionally. Pertinent to that and a testament to our
constructive role in the region is the fact that Cyprus
has assumed a leading role in bringing neighbouring
hydrocarbon-producing countries together, seeking
opportunities not only for maritime boundary
agreements, but also for joint efforts in exploring those
hydrocarbon resources. Energy, in my opinion, should
be not a source of conflict, but a catalyst for conflict
resolution and regional integration.
The Millennium Development Goals framework
has galvanized unparalleled development efforts and
guided global and national development priorities since
2000. While three of the eight Goals have been achieved
prior to the final deadline, much work remains to be
done ahead of 2015. With only two years left, enhanced
commitment, resources and efforts are needed, as is a
coordinated and integrated approach that can contribute
to accelerating progress towards the achievement of all
the Millennium Goals.
As a small island State facing particular challenges,
we understand well why the coherence of all processes
leading to a single and universal post-2015 development
agenda is crucial. New and emerging asymmetric
challenges — such as climate change and natural
disasters, terrorism, inequalities and the necessity for
the prevalence of the rule of law, democracy and human
rights — require renewed and collective commitment
and an effective target-oriented post-2015 framework
with poverty eradication and sustainable development
at its heart.
As the Secretary-General says in his report entitled
“A life of dignity for all: accelerating progress towards
the Millennium Development Goals and advancing the
United Nations development agenda beyond 2015”,
“the world’s quest for dignity, peace, prosperity,
justice, sustainability and an end to poverty has
reached an unprecedented moment of urgency”
(A/68/202, para. 1) “and the world’s nations must
unite behind a common programme to act on those
aspirations” (ibid., para. 120).
Cyprus strongly subscribes to the joint efforts in
fulfilling this task.
A few months ago, my country received
unprecedented international attention because of
the economic crisis. I am proud to say that, due to
the persistence, determination and resilience of the
people of Cyprus, we are rising to the challenge and
will soon lead our country to the path of recovery and
growth. My political vision is for Cyprus to receive
international attention yet again, but this time for all
the right reasons.
This points to an end in the long-standing
anachronistic division of my country, in line with
the aspirations of our people, especially the younger
generations, to coexist peacefully in a European
country that fully respects their fundamental human
rights and freedoms. I am certain that all will agree
that the reunification is in the interests not only of the
people of Cyprus, but also of the entire international
community, since a solution to the Cyprus problem
will undoubtedly have a very important spillover effect
on efforts to achieve a much-needed environment of
stability, security and peace in our region.
For our part, we are determined to rise to the
challenge of this historic responsibility and do our
utmost with the aim of providing a more stable,
prosperous and conciliatory future in our immediate
region, so that our legacy is remembered by generations
to come.