YouSaid · the spoken record

Dimitris Christofias

lines on the record: 44
first: 2008-09-24
most recent: 2010-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Climate change, poverty, malnutrition and lack of access to basic health care, terrorism, wars, the threat of further nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism, the economic crisis and political instability in many regions of the world require us to undertake a renewed and more effective effort to protect humankind’s achievements. The future is in our hands. We will succeed only if we achieve a more just distribution and better redistribution of the world’s natural resources and wealth.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Our vision is of a reunited Cyprus, common homeland of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, without any foreign troops or settlers on its territory and with full respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its people: 23 10-54959 Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins. I would like to reiterate my commitment to doing my utmost to that end. From this rostrum, I repeat my call on the Turkish leadership to meet with me, in parallel to the negotiating process, so that I can share with them my vision for a solution of the Cyprus problem, which would serve the interests of the Cypriots, Turkey and Greece, as well as of peace and security in the region. The challenges faced by the international community are increasing.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“From this rostrum, I would also like to propose that the National Guard and the Turkish Army again cancel their annual military exercises this autumn. Turkey’s leadership has assured the international community that it wants a solution of the problem by end of 2010. We are still waiting for its words to be transformed into action. The same expectation was repeatedly voiced by the European Council and in a recent resolution of the European Parliament. The European Union calls on Turkey to work on the basis of United Nations resolutions and to meet its obligations towards the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus, which Turkey still fails to recognize. Turkey must respect the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and contribute to the achievement of an agreement that would reunite Cyprus and its people.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Even before the adoption of resolution 550 (1984), the leaders of the two communities had agreed in 1979 to settle the issue of Famagusta as a matter of priority, notwithstanding any political negotiations on other issues. My proposal, if accepted, would have benefits for all sides. In addition to the return of the fenced city to rightful inhabitants under United Nations control, my proposal includes the restoration of the medieval part of the city where our Turkish Cypriot compatriots live, as well as the opening of the port of Famagusta to external trade under EU supervision — a measure directly aimed at benefiting the Turkish Cypriots. Such a development would also benefit Turkey’s accession negotiations with the EU and provide an excellent example of harmonious coexistence and cooperation between the two communities.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Unfortunately, the new Turkish Cypriot leader and the Turkish leadership have rejected these proposals. I would like to make a special reference here to our proposal on Famagusta. In 1974, Famagusta was a city with a population of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. As the Turkish Army advanced towards the city, the Greek Cypriot population was forced to flee. The town of Varosha has been a ghost town ever since. The Security Council considers the Government of Turkey responsible for the area, and in 1984, under resolution 550 (1984), demanded the return of the town to the United Nations in order that it might be inhabited by its legal inhabitants.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In order to achieve results soon, I have submitted a package consisting of three proposals. First, I have suggested linking the negotiation of the chapters of property, territorial adjustments and settlers in order to give impetus to the process. I have also proposed that when we are close to reaching an agreement on the internal aspects of the problem, we could hold an international conference under the auspices of the Secretary-General and with the participation of the permanent members of the Security Council, the guarantor Powers, the European Union, the Republic of Cyprus and the two communities to discuss the international aspects of the problem. The third element of my proposal concerns Famagusta. My series of proposals would benefit all sides and could create the necessary political climate to drive the entire process forward.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Since my election in 2008, I have actively engaged with the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community in a Cypriot-owned process within the framework of the Good Offices Mission of the Secretary-General in order to reach a mutually acceptable agreed solution on the constitutional and other internal aspects of the problem. Two years into the process and despite the difficulties, some progress, although not as much as anticipated, has been achieved on certain issues. At the outset of this process, we agreed with the Secretary-General that there would be no artificial deadlines or outside intervention in the form of arbitration or the submission of ready-made solutions. With the new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, we worked through the summer and, in the past few weeks, have further intensified our meetings.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“10-54959 22 After 1977, the Security Council through its resolutions endorsed the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, defined not as numerical equality but as the effective participation of both communities in all organs of Government. The united federal State would be one, with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality. The federal State would respect fundamental human rights and basic freedoms in accordance with Security Council resolutions. The principles and values of the European Union would also be observed.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“That historic compromise was a brave concession by the Greek Cypriot community towards their Turkish Cypriot compatriots. It sought to bring an end to the foreign occupation and to restore the unity of the Republic of Cyprus. The composition of the population and the human geography of Cyprus were such that conditions for a federation did not exist. The two communities lived intermingled throughout the island. It is for that reason that the acceptance of the bicommunal, bizonal federation by the Greek Cypriots constituted a historic compromise and a concession towards our Turkish Cypriot compatriots.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It is time to overcome the problems, to achieve reconciliation between the two communities and to reunite our country and our people for the sake of peace and future generations. The General Assembly and Security Council have been addressing the Cyprus problem since the 1960s. A number of resolutions have been adopted by both the Security Council and the General Assembly aimed at safeguarding the independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. I take this opportunity to express the appreciation of the people of Cyprus to the Secretary-General, the Security Council and the United Nations as a whole for their continued and unwavering interest in Cyprus. In 1977, Archbishop Makarios, the President of Cyprus at the time, accepted the evolution of the unitary State into a bicommunal, bizonal federation.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In the political field, however, the first years of independence were marked by difficulties and a lack of the necessary political cooperation between the two communities of the island, which were called to govern the country together under the Constitution. Those early differences and difficulties were exacerbated by foreign interference. The culmination of these interventions was the military coup of the junta that ruled Greece at the time, and the illegal Turkish invasion of July-August 1974. The military occupation by the Turkish Army of 37 per cent of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus continues today, as does the violation of the human rights of all Cypriot citizens, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The people of Cyprus have suffered enough.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We have always held the view that problems cannot be resolved through military confrontation but must be solved through dialogue, diplomacy and respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all countries and peoples, whether great or small, rich or poor. In 2004, the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union (EU) as a full member. Proud of its traditions, Cyprus preserves its neutrality and seeks to play an active and constructive role as an EU member State. After Cyprus won independence in 1960, the road for Cypriots has not, unfortunately, been without problems. Despite many difficulties and misfortunes, we have managed to achieve economic growth and a satisfactory standard of living for our people.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The Republic of Cyprus became a Member of the Organization as soon as it gained its independence in the hope and with the aspiration of contributing to the work of the Organization and playing a constructive role in international affairs through the promotion of the implementation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. With its unique geographic position at the crossroads of three continents, Cyprus held the noble goal of serving as a bridge for peace and cooperation in its neighbourhood and beyond. Having gained its independence at a difficult period in world politics, Cyprus took a clear and conscious decision to join the Non-Aligned Movement. As a founding member of the Movement, Cyprus played an active role in the work of the United Nations and in resolving international problems.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We all know that it is a difficult task, but there is no alternative to dialogue. We express the hope that no unilateral measure will be taken that would create more obstacles to the negotiations to reach an agreement. The solution should lead to the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State living side by side with the State of Israel. Cyprus, together with Greece, has proposed the creation of a humanitarian sea corridor to the people of Gaza, utilizing our proximity to the area and our good relations with all sides. This year, Cyprus is celebrating the fiftieth year since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and its participation as a full Member of the United Nations.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Environmental degradation and climate change; rising poverty, food insecurity and the lack of basic health care for so many of our fellow human beings in a world with deep social disparities; terrorism; the visible threat of nuclear proliferation, especially in the Middle East; and the continuing economic crisis of the past few years, which has primarily affected millions of working people and the poor, require effective regional and global action through the United Nations and other multilateral organizations. 21 10-54959 Turning our attention to my own neighbourhood, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, I would like to welcome the relaunching of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and to express hope for a successful outcome.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I congratulate Mr. Joseph Deiss on his assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session. It is commonly acknowledged that the international community faces challenges that are multiplying in scope and magnitude. This raises a question about whether our ability to respond to these challenges grows in tandem. We have recently witnessed climatic and natural disasters on a scale never experienced in recent history, such as the floods in Pakistan, the fires in Russia, the earthquake in Haiti and the landslides in China.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I want to affirm that I will spare no effort in order to achieve a balanced and just solution that would restore the rights of the people as a whole. We have all paid a heavy price — human, political and economic — and continue to do so. The gains of lasting peace will benefit the people of Cyprus, of Turkey and of our region as a whole. True political leaders are not those who think of the next election, but of the next generation. We have the responsibility to work together to achieve a lasting peace in our region. I wish the family of the United Nations a successful outcome to the deliberations of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Turkey should fulfil its obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus and towards the European Union. I would like to state once again that our Turkish Cypriot compatriots are equal citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and that I personally will consistently strive for their rights and for finding their rightful place in all organs of the State. My political roots are in the progressive people’s movement of my country, which has always stood by our Turkish Cypriot compatriots for peace and harmonious coexistence. Nevertheless, the rights of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots cannot be implemented at the expense of those of the larger community, which is the Greek Cypriot one. There must be mutual respect.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Cyprus has never sought, nor wishes, to have hostile relations with its neighbour, Turkey, but it is our responsibility to defend the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of our State. Nevertheless, before this body, I would like to express my readiness to initiate dialogue with the Turkish leadership, in parallel to our negotiations with Turkish Cypriot leader, and to share ideas on a future 15 09-52320 that would greatly enhance the possibility of a positive outcome to the negotiations. Cyprus has consistently supported Turkey’s accession to the European Union in the belief that the entire adaptation process and Turkey’s eventual membership would benefit our neighbours, our region and us. However, that support is not unconditional.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Is it not a paradox for a member of the Security Council to keep occupation troops on the territory of another United Nations Member State and a member State of the European Union for 35 years? Is it not a paradox to undermine the unity and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus by promoting the creation of a second State on the island in violation of Security Council resolution 541 (1983), which unanimously condemns the illegal unilateral declaration of independence, calling it null and void, and calls on all States to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus? Yes, it is a paradox, and it is also illegal.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“A measure of goodwill on the part of Turkey would have been the implementation of Security Council resolution 550 (1984), which stipulates the transfer of the occupied ghost town of Varosha to the administration of the United Nations and the return of its legal inhabitants to their homes and property. In addition, Turkey should proceed with normalizing its relations with the Republic of Cyprus and with recognizing it, as stipulated in the decisions of the European Union. I ask if it is not a paradox for a country that is a member of the Security Council not to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, a State Member of the United Nations, of the European Union and of all international organizations.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“After the 1974 invasion and the occupation of 30 per cent of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey has become a key player in the solution of the Cyprus problem. The success of our efforts towards a solution of the problem depends on Turkey’s political will and on the policies that it implements. It is not enough for the Turkish leadership to publicly state that it supports the negotiating process. Turkey should contribute in a practical way to a solution that seeks a bizonal and bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in the relevant Security Council resolutions. Instead, Turkey pursues a confederal solution.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We sincerely hope that during the second round of negotiations, which has just started, the Turkish positions will be reconsidered so that we can, as soon as possible, reach an agreed solution that we can then present to the people in separate simultaneous referendums. That solution must be by the Cypriots for the Cypriots. It is clear that we will not present to the people a solution that originates from outside, nor can we accept arbitration or pressure being exercised through artificial timetables. Those preconditions were agreed with the Secretary-General, under whose auspices the negotiations are taking place. I would like to take this opportunity to thank once again the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his good offices mission and for the role of the United Nations as a facilitator in the negotiating process.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The united federal republic of Cyprus must safeguard the unity of the State and its institutions, as well as of the economy and the people. Unfortunately, despite our common efforts, the Turkish Cypriot side, supported by Turkey, continues to present positions and proposals that take us outside the framework of the United Nations resolutions on Cyprus with regard to the termination of military occupation, the illegal possession of properties and the presence of settlers. Acceptance of those positions would lead to acceptance of many consequences of the occupation and to violations of international conventions on human rights, basic freedoms and the principles on which federations are built. It is clear that such a solution would be neither viable nor functional and would not ensure the continuing unity of the State and the country.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Our goal is the restoration of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and 09-52320 14 unity of the Republic of Cyprus, the common homeland of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. It is also our goal to restore the human rights and basic freedoms of all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, regardless of their ethnic background. We are committed to the evolution of the unitary State into a federal State consisting of two largely autonomous regions. One region will be administered by the Greek Cypriot community and the other by the Turkish Cypriot community. The fact that the population of Cyprus lived intermingled throughout the island constituted for us a great historical concession on the part of the late President Makarios to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots. We remain true to that commitment.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Shortly after my election to office, I undertook the initiative of bringing the stalemate to an end. As a result of that, and on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions and under the auspices of the good offices mission of the Secretary-General, a year ago we embarked upon intensive negotiations with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat. Trusting in the sincerity of Mr. Talat’s intentions, we have engaged in a common effort to bring an end to the division of our country. We agreed that the process would be in the hands of Cypriots, without arbitration or artificial timetables. Some progress has been achieved in the negotiations, but not such as to make us confident that we are close to a final solution to the Cyprus problem.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Since its independence, the Republic of Cyprus has relied on the principles of the United Nations in maintaining its independence, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. After the dual crime of a military coup and the foreign invasion of Cyprus in 1974, when military forces attempted to obliterate our statehood and violated the integrity of our State, the United Nations responded with a number of important resolutions that expressed the international community’s moral and legal support for the Republic of Cyprus. The plethora of Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on Cyprus provided my country with the necessary support to continue its struggle for a solution to its political problem on the basis of those resolutions, the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The world today faces multiple challenges and threats, including climate change, the depletion of resources, human rights abuses, the failure to protect vulnerable populations, increased regional and inter-State conflict, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and pandemics. From this rostrum, we have heard the desperate voices of those who live on small-island States, the despairing appeal of young people and the dramatic warnings of scientists about climate change. If we do not take measures now, we face the risk of extinction. We join our voice and lend our support to the proposals for taking concrete action. We must take measures now. Tomorrow will be too late. The December meeting in Copenhagen must become a historic turning point in effectively addressing catastrophic climate change.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In its present form, globalization is not the realization of the vision of philosophers and social revolutionaries for global brotherhood and prosperity for all. That is because globalization is driven by the pursuit of excessive profits. As a result, the rich are becoming richer and the poor poorer. More than half way to the 2015 deadline for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, the financial crisis is forcing States and institutions to reassess global priorities. The United Nations is the most important international body able to tackle the effects of the global financial crisis and to act collectively and effectively to prevent their most dire consequences.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It is only through collective international action, and not through economic nationalism, that we can overcome such challenges. The same is true of action against disease and poverty, as well as the prevention of further damage to the environment, which affects the lives of us all. The most important lesson to be learned from the financial crisis is that the economy cannot be seen in isolation from the needs of society. Despite the remarkable development of production forces that could have secured decent living conditions for all, people in many parts of the world are still deprived of basic needs such as drinking water, health care and access to education and work. The magnitude of the financial crisis shows that it is a crisis of the system and of its most extreme manifestation, namely, neo-liberalism and market lawlessness.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I would like to extend to Mr. Ali Treki my sincere congratulations on his election as President of the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. I would also like to express my appreciation for the excellent work done by his predecessor, Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann. I should also like to thank the Secretary- General for his comprehensive report (A/64/1) on the work of the Organization, as well as to congratulate him on his initiative in convening the high-level Climate Change Summit. Since its independence, the Republic of Cyprus has been committed to multilateral diplomacy and the strengthening of the role of the United Nations. World stability and welfare have been threatened by the recent global economic crisis. The crisis revealed the weaknesses of our collective oversight systems.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“If hunger and poverty are not tackled, if regional disputes are not resolved on the basis of international legitimacy, and if global wealth is not distributed more fairly, peace cannot grow strong roots. The United Nations is an achievement of our fathers and a necessary tool for ensuring a more stable, fair and prosperous world. Ultimately, the United Nations is only as successful as we, the Member States, allow it to be. I wish our community of nations a successful sixty-third session of the General Assembly.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“It would allow Cypriots — Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike — to live together and work together in an independent, prosperous country within the family of 13 08-51839 the European Union, without the presence of foreign armies and illegal colonists and under conditions of security and respect for their identity and their rights. Our world faces many problems, which are becoming increasingly complex. It is our conviction that those problems can be solved and that new threats can be prevented only through effective multilateral collective action. Peace must prevail — a true peace based on respect for international law and not the right of might. A response to the problem of international terrorism will be effective only if our world becomes less unjust.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“On the other hand, I am one of those Cypriots who was deeply and directly affected by the foreign military invasion of 1974, because I myself and my family are internally displaced persons — refugees in our own country. The role of Cypriots is to agree on what they want. We must try to achieve that with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mehmet Ali Talat. I believe that we can achieve it. But that is not enough to achieve a solution. Turkey should contribute to the process in a positive way. Turkey still maintains over 40,000 troops and tens of thousands of settlers in Cyprus and can, without a doubt, determine the outcome of the issues under discussion. We believe that the solution should benefit everybody and will benefit everybody.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“If that effort is to succeed, there is a need for political will on the part of Cypriots, as well as the positive engagement of other important players, which for historical reasons have been part of the problem and need to become part of the solution. For my part, I want to assure the General Assembly from this rostrum that my political will to do what is necessary to solve the problem is firm and deep-rooted. My origins are in the Progressive Party of Working People of Cyprus and in the popular movement of the island, which prides itself on a long history of struggles, and indeed sacrifices, in defence of friendship, cooperation and peaceful coexistence between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The kind of solution we agree to must take into account not only our history and international legality, but also the kind of society we are and the kind of society we want to bequeath to our children. In that society, all Cypriot children must be born free and equal. Human rights and the fair satisfaction of human needs must take precedence over strategic considerations dictated by political expedience. A new intensive effort started on 3 September with the aim of overcoming the impasses of the past and achieving progress that will lead to the reunification of Cyprus under mutually agreed terms and the withdrawal of foreign troops after 34 years of division and foreign occupation.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The federal institutions will embody the principle of political equality as defined by the relevant Security Council resolutions, in terms not of numerical equality but of effective participation by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in all organs of the federal State. It is important to remind ourselves that a bizonal and bicommunal federation has been the only mutually agreed basis since 1977. It was reaffirmed as recently as a few weeks ago. It represents a compromise, and indeed the only possible compromise, on which a political arrangement can be built. The relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the Constitution of Cyprus exclude partition, secession or union with any other country.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The role of the Secretary- General and of the international community is to assist and to support. We are grateful for that. Good offices are not arbitration; they are not mediation. Recent experience has shown that any attempt to impose — and even to import — non-Cypriot-inspired and improvised models will meet with rejection by the Cypriot people. The relevant Security Council resolutions are also important for the new effort because they provide the legal political framework within which the effort must take place. That framework prescribes a bizonal and bicommunal federation with a single international personality, single indivisible sovereignty and single citizenship.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“They provide for a process of negotiations in the form of a good offices mission of the Secretary-General and, very importantly, they define the legal and political framework on which the discussions for the federal architecture of the Cypriot State will be built. Both of those elements are crucial. I firmly believe that our success in the new effort that is now beginning will depend upon respecting those essential conditions. The President returned to the Chair. With regard to the process of the Secretary- General’s good offices mission, it entails negotiations with the Cypriots themselves in which they are the principal players. They are the owners of the process. The Cypriots themselves must build the State they envision for their society.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“However, Cyprus survived. The will of the international community for Cyprus to survive is found in the plethora of Security Council and General Assembly resolutions — most of them, regrettably, not implemented. However, the moral support and resolute 08-51839 12 stance provided Cyprus with a sword and shield that have ensured that it has remained and will continue to remain an undivided independent country with a single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international personality. In addition, the resolutions of the United Nations on Cyprus contain two other important elements.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Small States have higher stakes in multilateral diplomacy and in a fair and functional system of collective security, based on the principles of sovereign equality and respect for territorial integrity. There is no clearer example of that than Cyprus itself. From the earliest days of its independence, Cyprus was forced to appeal to the world community for support in defending and preserving its independence, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. It became a victim of foreign interference, which sowed the seeds of domestic problems for the new State. Those difficulties were exploited in the service of strategic interests alien to our independence and our territorial integrity. The culmination was the military coup instigated by the military junta of Athens and the Turkish military invasion of July and August 1974.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“I applaud the focus being given to both, highlighting the imperative need for collective action by the international community. However, we must match our words with deeds. Cyprus emerged from colonialism as an impoverished independent State in 1960. Despite the fact that Cyprus has suffered greatly, we have managed to improve our economy. Today, Cyprus is firmly committed to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and maintains an emphasis on Africa in its overseas development assistance projects. Our approach is to focus on a small number of countries, concentrating our efforts on infrastructural development in the health and education sectors. Cyprus is gradually intensifying its efforts by increasing the level of assistance to additional countries.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The United Nations is important to the international community and particularly important to Cyprus. It is an essential institution for our global survival and for the further development of humankind in a balanced and fair way in increasingly difficult conditions. Our peoples look to the United Nations as the best forum for addressing such global problems as poverty, climate change, rising energy and food prices, diseases, natural disasters, human rights abuses and many other pressing global problems. Either we do things together in a collective, coordinated way or the problems will persist and become even less manageable. This week, two important issues are being given particular attention — the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the special needs of Africa.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“I wish first to extend sincere congratulations to Mr. D’Escoto Brockmann on his election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-third session and to express my appreciation for the work done by his predecessor, Mr. Srgjan Kerim. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his report (A/63/1) on the work of the Organization, and I welcome his comprehensive approach to threats and his focus on recently emerged challenges. It is an honour for me to address the General Assembly for the first time as President of the Republic of Cyprus. Maintaining the effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy and strengthening the relevance of the United Nations has been one of the cornerstones of the foreign policy of the Republic of Cyprus since it won its independence in 1960.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)