Cyprus President strives to resume reunification discourse at UN Assembly

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides announced his willingness to promptly restart reunification discussions concerning the ethnically divided island on Wednesday, September 25, calling on regional rival Turkey to also participate in the initiative.

“We cannot change geography. It is an opportunity, not a curse. Turkey and Cyprus will always remain neighbours,” Christodoulides said addressing the 79th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.

“I adamantly believe we can carve a new path, one of peace, cooperation and collaboration.”

Συχνά με ρωτάνε αν είμαι αισιόδοξος για την ειρήνη στην Κύπρο, έπειτα από 50 χρόνια. Επιτρέψτε μου να ανακαλέσω τα λόγια του Jean Monnet –

«Δεν είναι καιρός για τυφλή αισιοδοξία ή παραλυτική απαισιοδοξία. Τώρα πρέπει να είμαστε αποφασισμένοι».

Ως εκ τούτου, η απάντηση είναι ότι… pic.twitter.com/uL1VfTJOMJ

— President of the Republic of Cyprus (@PresidentCYP) September 25, 2024

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told the UN General Assembly that the federation model “has now completely lost its validity”, declaring that the island is comprised of “two separate states and two separate peoples.”

“The sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots, which are their inherent rights, should be reaffirmed, and the isolation should now come to an end,” he added.

Source: Ekathimerini.