A series of UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, as well as resolutions adopted by numerous other international organizations (including the EU, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement), reflect the universal condemnation of Turkey’s invasion and all subsequent acts of aggression against Cyprus; demand the return of the refugees to their homes in safety and the tracing of the missing persons; and call for respect for the human rights of all Cypriots as well as for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus. Moreover, the European Court of Human Rights has found the government of Turkey responsible for gross and systematc violations of human rights in Cyprus.

Successive rounds of UN-sponsored talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to resolve the Cyprus problem have been undermined by the Turkish side which has sought a settlement that in effect would leave Cyprus permanently divided and hostage to foreign interests. The government of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot side, on the other hand, have been insisting on the genuine reunification of the island, its institutions and its people. Intensive efforts by the UN resulted in the presentation in 2004 of a plan by the Secretary-General (Annan Plan V) for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. On 24 April 2004 the people of Cyprus were asked to approve or reject the plan through separate, simultaneous referenda by the two communities. A clear majority of 75.8% Greek Cypriots rejected the proposed Annan Plan because they felt that the final text was not balanced and did not meet their main concerns regarding security, functionality and viability of the solution.

Obviously, in rejecting the Annan Plan, the Greek Cypriots did not reject the reunification of Cyprus, which remains their primary goal. They rejected that particular Plan because, despite claims to the contrary, it did not lead to a real unification of the island and the reintegration of its people, institutions and economy.

Throughout the lengthy intercommunal talks which took place over the years, held under the auspices of the United Nations Organization, the Greek Cypriot side had always shown goodwill for the settlement of the Cyprus problem in such a way as to serve the interests of all the citizens of Cyprus. With the same goodwill it attended the direct negotiations which began on 3 September 2008, between President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and then with his successor, Dervish Eroglou.

The basis and the framework for the solution of the Cyprus problem are provided for by the relevant UN resolutions and the high-level agreements between the representatives of the two communities. The basis of the solution is a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as described in the UN resolutions, with a single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international personality safeguarding the human rights and the basic freedoms of all the citizens. The Government of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriots want efforts for a solution to the Cyprus Problem to continue until a framework, addressing the concerns of all the people of Cyprus, is agreed upon by the parties themselves.

For the solution to be viable and to withstand the test of time, it must be perceived as fair by the people who will have to live with it. The solution, therefore, must be democratic, just, workable, financially viable and compatible with EU principles, laws and democratic norms, the Convention on Human Rights and key UN resolutions; Cyprus must remain a unified state and enjoy full sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

Consistent with this outlook, the Cyprus government has been working systematically towards creating the necessary conditions for substantial and constructive negotiations between the two communities under UN auspices which will in turn lead to an agreed, functional and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem within the context created by the accession of Cyprus to the European Union in 2004.