YouSaid · the spoken record

Nicos Anastasiades

lines on the record: 197
first: 2013-09-24
most recent: 2022-09-24
sittings or episodes: 10
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

“Therefore, as proven by the aforesaid, Turkey’s assertions that its illegal actions aim at protecting the rights of the Turkish Cypriots are false and invalid, as false and invalid are also its claims that the Republic of Cyprus violates the rights of Turkey. However, what I would like to welcome is the reference of Mr. Erdogan, and I, yet again, quote: “Our priority is to settle disputes in a sincere dialogue, based on international law and on an equitable basis”. If Mr. Erdogan truly adheres to the above-mentioned and if he sincerely believes that Turkey’s actions against the Republic of Cyprus are compatible with international law, then why doesn’t he accept our proposal for a sincere bilateral dialogue or to refer the whole issue to the International Court of Justice?”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“At the same time, Turkey also disregards the fact that the Republic of Cyprus has established a National Sovereign Fund which safeguards the interests of Greek and Turkish Cypriots from any revenues accrued from the exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits. Moreover, Turkey fails to acknowledge my proposal for establishing an escrow account to the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community, to which any revenues from the exploitation of hydrocarbons would be deposited, based on the population proportion of the constituent states. And if Turkey will recognize the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus within its Exclusive Economic Zone, then the said revenues might be released to the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community, even prior to the solution of the Cyprus Problem.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Whose interests are being ignored when Turkey: Chooses to disregard the convergences reached between the leaders of the two communities both in 2011 and 2015 which provide that: (a) Federal Cyprus will continue being a contracting party to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and; (b) Any revenues accrued from the exploitation of the State’s natural resources will be allocated to the federal government. And I wish to remind that these convergences were never challenged by Turkey or the Turkish Cypriot side. It is for this exact reason that the issue of hydrocarbons was neither raised during the intense negotiating period between 2011 to 2017 nor was part of one of the elements of the framework of the UN Secretary-General as presented at Crans Montana.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“And I wonder: Which country invaded and still occupies Cyprus; Which country invaded Syria; Which country military intervened in Libya; Which country violates the sovereign rights of Greece; Which country intervenes in the internal affairs of Iraq? Ladies and Gentlemen, What is even more paradox as regards Mr. Erdogan’s approach is his comment that “we cannot turn a blind eye on the violations of our country and the Turkish Cypriots and the fact that our interests are being ignored”. And I wonder, yet again: Whose interests are being ignored when Turkey’s claims, limit the exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus by 44 per cent at the expense of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots?”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I would never have expected that a country — which has been condemned repeatedly by a plethora of UN Resolutions, decisions of the Security Council, as well as of the European Court of Human Rights for its illegal invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of our country, — would allege that, and I quote: “Behind the tension existing in the Eastern Mediterranean for a while, there are countries acting with the understanding of the “winner takes it all”. And I wonder: Which country uses might in order to “take it all? Which country prefers a power-based interstate conduct rather than a rules- based one? How contradictory, is the reference of Mr. Erdogan that: “We do not have designs on anyone else’s right, remedy and legitimate interest neither in the Eastern Mediterranean nor in any other region”.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, Excellencies, I expected, following the recent statement of the UN Secretary-General of his intention to resume negotiations, that Turkey would respond in a positive way. However, it is with deep regret that we were informed of the reaction of Turkey, through public statements of his Minister of Foreign Affairs who argued that their aspiration and aim is to establish or impose a two-state solution or a confederal system of Governance. My regret grew bigger after the recent statements by the President of Turkey, Mr. Erdogan, during his address at the UN General Debate. What is most disappointing is the futile effort of Mr. Erdogan, in full defiance of historic truths, to impress that tensions in the Middle East are due to the unilateral actions undertaken by Greeks and Greek Cypriots.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“At the same time, and I have to be clear on this issue, as this is a fundamental prerequisite of every peace process: For the talks to resume with realistic prospects for success, it is imperative to create an environment that will be conducive for constructive and good faith negotiations, on an equal footing and not under conditions of intimidation and threats. And I have made this reference since, in addition to Turkey’s continuous occupation of our country, we are currently witnessing a series of provocative actions which: Run contrary to international law, the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the UN Convention on the law of the Sea either through illegal drillings in our Exclusive Economic Zone or by threats for the imminent opening of the fenced city of Varosha under Turkish military control. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In this regard, I wish to welcome the intention of the UN Secretary-General to personally engage to efforts in resuming the negotiating process after the completion of the internal political procedures within the Turkish Cypriot community. On my behalf, I wish to reiterate our unwavering position: We remain committed to immediately resume the peace process, in line with the relevant joint understanding reached with the UN Secretary-General and the Turkish Cypriot leader on November 25, 2019, which sets the principles for the resumption of a new round of negotiations.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“An approach which run contrary to our capacity as an EU Member-State and the explicit remarks of the UN Secretary-General of 4 June 2017, following his meeting with the leaders of the two communities, that: “Progress in the Chapter of Security and Guarantees is an essential element in reaching an overall agreement and in building trust between the two communities in relation to their future security”. Ever since, and despite our disappointment, we have repeatedly conveyed our commitment to immediately resume direct talks for a settlement of the Cyprus problem from where they were left off at Crans Montana.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“During the Conference, the Secretary-General identified a framework of six elements that should be discussed interdependently and comprehensively, including the Chapter of Security and Guarantees, in order to reach a strategic agreement that would pave the way forward for a comprehensive settlement. Unfortunately, despite our positive engagement and the submission of credible and realistic written proposals, the negotiations were unsuccessful due to Turkey’s inflexible stance and insistence on maintaining the anachronistic Treaty of Guarantee and the right of intervention, as well as a permanent presence of troops.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Please allow me to avoid expanding on Turkey’s well-known behavior in the aforesaid countries and concentrate on its stance and unilateral actions vis-a-vis my own country. Needless to remind that Cyprus and its people still suffer from the 1974 illegal military invasion, the consequent military occupation of 37 per cent of our country and the forcible displacement of 40 per cent of its population. Since then, despite the constructive engagement of both mine and my predecessors towards reaching a just and viable settlement, due to Turkey’s intransigent stance and irrational demands, Cyprus remains the last European divided country. The last effort towards reaching a settlement took place in 2017, following the initiative of the UN Secretary-General to convene a multilateral Conference on Cyprus at Crans Montana.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Cyprus, despite its small size, acts as a facilitator for synergies, and cooperation by promoting a web of partnerships, including trilateral and multilateral schemes along with Greece, with Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Armenia. Founded on the principles of international law and good neighborly relations, these partnerships are neither directed against any third country nor do they exclude any country which shares our vision of establishing conditions of lasting peace and stability in our region. Unfortunately, against this background and the latest positive developments of gradually restoring relations between Israel and Arab countries, Turkey consistently and consciously escalates tensions by enforcing its expansionist plans through the use of force.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“A solidarity which should also include sharing the vaccine for COVID-19 in an equitable and reciprocate manner once is being developed. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, In order to be consistent with what I have mentioned as regards the value of multilateralism and the challenges that we are facing, I will concentrate my intervention in a particular geographic region being amongst the most afflicted ones, the Middle East. We are all concerned by Turkey’s interventions which affect the territorial integrity and destabilize Libya, Syria and Iraq, and we are also equally worried of the violations by the said country of the sovereign rights of both Greece and Cyprus. The combination of the above-mentioned has created a climate of increasing instability, with negative repercussions, not only to the region but beyond.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Amid these extraordinary times, the pandemic has underscored the world’s vulnerability and fragilities, attesting that concerted efforts are humanity’s only hope and a destined necessity. As eloquently put by the Secretary General: “Preventing the further spread of COVID-19 is a shared responsibility for us all. We are in this together, no country can do it alone”. Pertinent to the above, I have to admit that I, and I believe all of us, remain extremely concerned as regards the worrying upward trend of new coronovirus cases and deaths we are currently witnessing globally. Hence, I believe that the only way forward in order to protect the most vulnerable groups of peoples is to collectively demonstrate solidarity, through supporting those countries whose health systems are in need.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“And we have to be honest: It is for these exact reasons that there is disappointment and skepticism about the effectiveness of multilateralism, as people voice their frustration that international institutions are out of touch, incapable or unwilling to deliver. We should rise to meet our shared responsibilities through collective leadership, reaffirm our commitment and restore the premises underlining effective multilateralism, joint responsibility and greater solidarity. To this end, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations provides an opportunity for the Organization to reclaim its inherent role and reinvigorate its tools to uphold universal values.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“A theme which is as relevant as ever, since there are explicit references, and I quote: “The future we want, the UN we need: Reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism....” We are all witnessing tendencies of unilateralism or revival of nationalistic discourse which create a legitimacy deficit that casts doubt on the overall credibility and undermine the effectiveness of the Organization. At the same time, we are also witnessing global crises like the pandemic, civil conflicts, forced migration, religious fundamentalism, hunger and poverty, violent extremism, destruction of cultural heritage.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, At the outset, I would like to express our profound appreciation to the President of the seventy — fourth session of the General Assembly, Mr. Muhammad-Bande, for his outstanding leadership during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. I would also like to congratulate the newly elected President of the General Assembly of the seventy-fifth session, Mr. Volkan Bozkir and wish every success in the exercise of his duties, in a fair and transparent manner. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Republic of Cyprus fully endorses the theme chosen for this landmark session marking the seventy-fifth anniversary year of the United Nations.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I did not, however, neglect or overlook the vast importance of global challenges, particularly poverty, climate change and sustainable development. The solution to tackling those challenges rests entirely on the decisiveness of the States Members of the United Nations in finally putting aside short-term interests and expediencies and reaching a joint understanding of the need to fully adhere to the Charter, resolutions and decisions of our common family. Only then will we fulfil our collective aims and targets and bestow a better future upon our children, grandchildren and the generations to come.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“26) This is my further vision — and it is also the vision of the people of Cyprus: to end the unacceptable status quo with the establishment of a State that will ensure a shared prosperous future for coming generations of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, enabling them to live freely together and collaborate in conditions of stability, safety and peaceful coexistence. Only then will we be able to utilize the unfulfilled potential and capacities of our country. I will not deviate from pursuing this vision, and I call for Members’ solidarity in supporting efforts to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem. It is not only in the interests of the people of Cyprus, but also for the benefit and in the interests of Turkey, the region and the international community. I may have devoted a large part of my address to the Cyprus problem.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“And I wonder whose interests Turkey is protecting when its claims to limit the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus by 44 per cent for its own benefit and at the expense of the rights and interests of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. As I stated earlier, it was not, and is not, my intention to embark on a confrontation. To the contrary, I fully ascribe to Mr. Erdogan’s emotional concluding remarks, as they encapsulate the essence of what we are trying to achieve in Cyprus — “freedom for all, peace for all, prosperity for all, justice for all and a peaceful and safe future for all.” (ibid. p.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We have also conveyed our readiness, still within the framework of meaningful negotiations, to deposit revenues accrued from the exploitation of hydrocarbons to an escrow account for the Turkish Cypriot community, through which we are protecting the Turkish Cypriot community’s rightful share, in accordance with the population ratio of the future constituent States. President Erdogan also claimed that Turkey has a reasonable approach to the issue of energy resources and that he and his country will ultimately protect the legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriots until the very end. Is it a reasonable approach to unilaterally and unlawfully conduct hydrocarbon-exploration drilling in another country’s exclusive economic zone through the threat of use of force?”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“President Erdogan further alleged that the Greek Cypriot side “refuses to share political power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriots.” (ibid) Are we refusing to share political power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriots when we have accepted political equality as defined by the Secretary-General and as upheld by the relevant Security Council resolutions, and when the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, within the context of the negotiating process, have reached an agreement on the issue of natural resources, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea?”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Is it uncompromising and ill-intentioned to envision terminating the anachronistic Treaty of Guarantee and establish a robust system of security, fully based on the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant European Union treaties? Which of the other 193 States Members of the United Nations is subject to a system of guarantees with a third country? Is it uncompromising and ill-intentioned to aspire to establish a normal State in which all decisions will be made only by Cypriots, free from foreign dependency?”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“And as if it were not enough that we have been confronted by the challenges I mentioned, two days ago, in this Hall, the Turkish President, Mr. Erdogan, embarked on an address in which he made misleading allegations. He referred, inter alia, to an uncompromising position of the Greek Cypriot side, saying that “those who claim to be working towards solving the Cyprus problem with zero security and zero guarantee have had ill-intentions from the outset” (A/74/PV3, p. 21). I wonder, and would ask, if it is uncompromising and ill-intentioned to aspire to establishing an independent and sovereign State, free from the presence of occupying troops.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“More specifically, the framework for the resettlement of Varosha by its lawful inhabitants, under the auspices of the United Nations, was set as a priority by both the 1979 high-level agreement between the leaders of the two communities and Security Council resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992). In that regard, we deeply appreciate the recent reaffirmation by the Secretary-General that the position of the United Nations on the matter remains unchanged and is still guided by the Security Council resolutions. As we speak, we are also confronted by an increasingly aggressive positioning of the Turkish military and an escalation of violations in the buffer zone. All those developments make the role of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and the fulfilment of its mandate more necessary than ever.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Is it possible when Turkey threatens Cyprus with severe consequences if we move forward again with our energy programme? Is it possible when Turkey threatens neighbouring States and energy companies with which we cooperate and have established conventional obligations? Is it possible for the efforts of the Secretary-General to succeed when recent public statements and acts by Turkish officials signal plans to build settlements in the fenced area of Varosha, the uninhabited part of Famagusta that is under illegal Turkish military occupation? With regard to Varosha, I wish to stress that its distinct status has been recognized in all reports of the Secretary-General and by the United Nations operations in Cyprus.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“I want to send a clear message: the United Nations and the Secretary-General’s good-offices mission is the only way forward for us. Regrettably, while the efforts at resuming the negotiating process are under way, recent actions by Turkey not only violate international law but severely undermine the aim of having an environment conducive to meaningful negotiations. While I do not intend to embark on a blame game, I cannot — nor will the dignity of my people allow me to — accept gun-boat diplomacy, blackmail tactics and attempts to force our side to negotiate under duress. Is it possible for the efforts of the Secretary-General to succeed while Turkey continues to violate the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its internationally recognized exclusive economic zone and continental shelf?”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Such an understanding could pave the way for the resumption of talks with the sole aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement on the basis of what has been agreed as a historic compromise by our side, namely, the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions and high-level agreements, with a single sovereignty, a single international legal personality and a single citizenship. It would be a settlement that will establish a viable, functional and lasting State, free from foreign dependencies, foreign troops and the rights of intervention by third countries. The settlement should not deviate from the relevant Security Council resolutions and European Union values and principles.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In that context, and following a call from the Secretary-General for an agreed basis for the resumption of negotiations, there is an understanding by the leaders of the two communities that the relevant terms of reference should be comprised of the following elements: first, the Joint Declaration on Cyprus of 11 February 2014, which sets out the basic guidelines and principles for the framework of the sought-after solution, as well as the methodology of the negotiating process; secondly, the convergences achieved that had led to the holding of the Conference on Cyprus at Crans-Montana; and, thirdly, the six-point framework of the Secretary-General on security and guarantees, troops, effective participation, territorial adjustments, property and equitable treatment, as presented on 30 June 2017 at Crans-Montana.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The status quo is the result of the illegal Turkish invasion in 1974, the violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, the consequent military occupation of more than a third of the country and the forcible displacement of 40 per cent of its population. Since 1974, despite the sincere efforts and the constructive engagement of both my predecessors and me in seeking a just and fair settlement, Cyprus has unfortunately remained the last divided country in Europe. We are currently in the midst of a new effort that is providing a glimmer of hope. I wish to stress in the strongest manner my full dedication and support to the new effort by the Secretary-General to resume the process from the point where it stopped at Crans-Montana.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Cyprus is also at the forefront of other initiatives aimed at establishing conditions of peace and stability in our region, through, inter alia, establishing synergies and enhancing our relations with neighbouring countries. Such advanced cooperation is based on the doctrine of multilateralism and positive agendas without any exclusions. It constitutes a promising step towards institutionalizing partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean. Over the past 45 years, we have undertaken the same positive initiatives in order to end the unacceptable status quo in my homeland and achieve lasting peace and stability there.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Record-high temperatures and protracted heat waves, devastating fires and deforestation, melting ice and sea-level rise, droughts, floods and extreme weather phenomena attest to the dire situation we are facing. Taking into account the particularly alarming projections concerning the impact of climate change on our immediate region, namely, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, Cyprus has recently undertaken an initiative to coordinate regional climate-change actions. More specifically, this initiative intends to bring together our regions’ leading scientists and policymakers, with a view to developing practical and achievable solutions that will have durable benefits for our citizens.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“I have talked about the challenges we are facing and the humanitarian crises of refugees and migration flows. At the same time, we must also realize that we are at a defining moment with regard to climate change. I was particularly touched by the massive presence of young people at the Climate Action Summit and by their sincere calls of worry and concern about the effects of climate change. I was deeply affected in particular by the words of 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, who stated that the eyes of all future generations are upon us. Indeed, we collectively carry the obligation to provide to the generations to come a better future, a greener planet. Imagine how climate change will affect our world if we do not decisively act today.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Certain States might want to serve their short-sighted interests at the expense of universal principles. However, history has repeatedly taught us the catastrophic consequences of not adhering to the principles, rules and synergies we have commonly developed within the framework of the United Nations. It is for this very reason that we lend our unwavering support to the reform priorities of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, which aim to reinforce the effectiveness of the Organization and further advance multilateralism, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and long-term development and growth. Setting aside diverging aspirations and conflicting interests, we should rise to meet our shared responsibility and collectively strengthen our support and commitment to the United Nations.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Leaving aside the strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures of the United Nations, we should not overlook that it is the only international forum where nations can collectively interact, deliberate and pursue common goals, work together to resolve not only their differences but also pressing regional and international challenges that are not country-specific, and call the international order into question. That is why it is our strong conviction that, in order to finally eliminate the threats we are facing in an increasingly interdependent world, there is only one answer: multilateralism, decisive collective action, international cooperation, greater solidarity and stronger partnerships. For some, alternatives to multilateralism may seem attractive.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Indeed, one cannot deny that failing to effectively tackle these challenges has, in turn, further aggravated such growing phenomena as religious fundamentalism, violent extremism, sectarianism, destruction of cultural heritage, civil war and ethnic conflict. What is most alarming, however, is that the combination of those factors has led to the forcible displacement of millions of people and unprecedented waves of refugee and migratory flows.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the President and assure him of my Government’s unwavering support during his tenure. I consider the chosen theme for this year’s General Assembly to be particularly pertinent, given that the combination of poverty, lack of adequate educational opportunities, social and economic exclusion and climate change constitute the most serious problems facing billions of human beings around the world — human beings who are placing their hopes in the international community to undertake efficient and effective measures, human beings who do not wish to be recipients of mere verbal support or wishful thinking that will expire at the end of the session. We should not only address the root causes of these challenges, but also reflect on why we have yet to tackle them.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In a fragmented and multipolar world, we have more than ever a moral, ethical and political duty to promote the essence of human civilization, unite our strength to maintain international peace and security and establish conditions that can bring prosperity and welfare to all. That perfectly matches the theme of this year’s session, and I hope that by next year we will be in a position to be proud of ourselves because we have taken significant steps towards fulfilling that vision.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“As I have said previously, I remain strongly and truly committed to achieving a solution on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions and the European Union acquis, and continuing the negotiations on the six-point framework that the Secretary-General has set as the basis for the way forward. The Secretary-General’s framework and good-offices mission constitute the only path to a solution. We expect that Turkey, which has a key role to play in efforts to reach a settlement, will rise to the occasion, demonstrate the political will necessary for reaching a settlement and concretely contribute to regional stability. For our part, I want to repeat once again that we are determined to rise to the challenge of our historic responsibility and do our utmost to provide a peaceful future for all Cypriots and the region as a whole.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Unfortunately, as the peace process has remained at an impasse since the conference on Cyprus in July 2017, I am deeply concerned about the time that has elapsed and its consequences. To state it clearly, only a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem, in line with the principles of our EU membership and the best practices of the democratic countries of the United Nations, can establish the conditions for achieving lasting peace, enabling my country to fully hit its stride and all Cypriots to live in a state of normalcy and work together for their prosperity and security.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“First and foremost, a viable and lasting settlement would be in the best interests of the people of Cyprus, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as it would fulfil their aspiration to live in a normal and prosperous European country, fully independent and free from any foreign dependency. At the same time, I remain convinced that resolving the Cyprus problem will undoubtedly have a very important collateral influence on achieving and maintaining a much-needed environment of stability and peace in the region. Last but not least, a resolution of this international problem, which has been on the agenda of the United Nations for decades, will offer a beacon of hope and demonstrate that even the most intractable problems can be solved peacefully through the Organization.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“On the contrary, they institutionalize cooperation and dialogue in our region, particularly in areas in which there are comparative advantages, such as energy. In that regard, we warmly welcome the expansion of those trilateral formats to include additional partners in other specific fields for mutually beneficial collaboration. When talking about the importance of achieving peace and stability in our immediate neighbourhood and the means by which that can be accomplished, I feel obliged to stress the significance and consequent multiple benefits that would result from a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“To that end, and as a unanimously accepted honest broker with no hidden agenda, we have reinforced our historically close ties with the countries in our immediate neighbourhood, and, together with Greece, we have established trilateral partnerships with several of our neighbours, including Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine. Those trilateral mechanisms constitute a fitting example of what can be achieved when countries with shared concerns and common interests join forces rather than isolating themselves. In short, they are a practical expression of effective multilateralism, fully in line with this year’s theme of shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies. Accordingly, I want to emphasize the partnerships are neither exclusionary nor directed against any third country.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Accordingly, while we remain deeply committed to adopting the necessary reforms related to this pillar, we strongly believe that each peacekeeping operation should be evaluated on its own merits, based on actual needs and threats on the ground. The risks involved are far too grave to allow for any experimentation in that regard. Notwithstanding Cyprus’s membership in the European Union (EU), it is located at the epicentre of an area of extreme volatility and instability. Our quest is based on our vision and ambition of becoming a beacon of stability, predictability and synergy for the purposes of promoting shared prosperity and stability for all.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Bearing in mind the ongoing unstable situations and conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Nigeria, Myanmar, Afghanistan, the Sahel, the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, of course, the still unresolved problem of the forcible division of my country, reforming the peace and security pillar is particularly important. We fully concur with the notion of the primacy of diplomacy in peacemaking and conflict resolution and the supportive yet catalytic role of peacekeeping operations. However, we must admit that the former is in jeopardy without the latter, and that in the absence of a negotiating process, the need for peacekeeping becomes much greater and, in many cases, indispensable. The situation in my country is a meaningful example of that.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In that context, we firmly support the ambitious vision of Secretary-General António Guterres for reforming the Organization in a manner that corresponds to the needs of its Member States and meets the expectations of our peoples. With regard to reforming the development pillar, we reiterate our full commitment to strengthening the capacity of the United Nations so that it can become more effective and transparent in its efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which represents an integral part of our efforts to help all people to live in dignity. In parallel, we must take further action to address States’ vulnerability to climate change, particularly small island States, just as we need to put more emphasis on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and accelerate efforts to that end.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“At the same time, we should also work to confront the threats posed by ongoing conflicts efficiently, in order to achieve lasting and viable political solutions that promote regional peace, security and predictability and spare future generations from the plague of asymmetrical threats. Collective leadership, together with the primacy of multilateralism, is the only way to effectively eliminate threats to peace and security. We therefore need to strengthen our support and commitment to the United Nations and safeguard the effective implementation of its decisions and actions, based on justice and international law, which constitute the core and essence of the Organization.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Despite diverging aspirations and conflicting interests, we should rise to meet our shared responsibilities, reverse the policies of political expediency that I have already mentioned, adopt a more proactive, targeted and results-oriented approach and address the root causes that have led to this unprecedented situation. We should intensify our efforts to make sustainable development a reality for all countries and regions in need, once and for all, by establishing the political and socioeconomic conditions necessary for stability, economic growth and institution-building.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“While we have adopted the Paris Agreement on Climate Change to address that global challenge, specific interests hinder both the design and the implementation of domestic policies that could deliver on our pledge and commitments. All of the those factors, in addition to an inability to effectively implement United Nations resolutions, have led to unprecedented crises and resulted in a lack of credibility, trust and even legitimacy in our decision-making, bringing about the forcible displacement of millions of people, hunger and distress that intensify migration flows, create demographic changes and exert huge economic and social pressures on all countries or regions affected, human and drug trafficking, leading to millions of deaths, and the destruction of cultural heritage.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“While more than 20 million people in north-eastern Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen and Somalia face famine and are in need of urgent assistance, and while more than 820 million people, including 155 million children, suffer from chronic malnutrition, there are countries in which immense quantities of animal and plant products are destroyed for the sake of narrow and blind economic and commercial considerations. While child mortality and life-threatening diseases persist and the quality of health services is below acceptable levels, we continue to face inflexible policies and practices that emasculate the relevant authorities and prevent them from providing necessary medical care. Instead of tackling the root causes leading to the massive migratory flows of millions of people, we content ourselves with setting up immigration detention centres.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)