The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, appeared in a videotaped address at the Economist’s 16th Cyprus Virtual Summit, which was conducted online due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In reference to the nearly half-century Cyprus problem, Anastasiades reiterated that his government’s aim and top priority remains none other than to reunify the island and establish a truly independent and sovereign state – a country, which he underlined, will be free from foreign dependencies, either through guarantees, the right of military intervention and the presence of foreign troops.
He was clearly referring to Turkey, which continues to illegally occupy one-third of the island republic’s territory.
He added “…For us, the current unacceptable status quo or any ideas that deviate from the established UN parameters are not sustainable options.