Cyprus, 2013

It is a great honour to

address the General Assembly for the first time in my

capacity as President of the Republic of Cyprus.

While it is realistic and pragmatic to acknowledge

that in an anarchic international system the political

and economic leverage and might of States, or even

of international organizations, are asymmetric

and unequal, one should never forget the founding

principles of the Charter of the Organization, which

were formulated as a result of the traumatic historic

experiences of two world wars.

Bearing in mind the aim of promoting the

fundamental United Nations principles, I would like to

share my deep concern regarding what is happening in

various parts of the world, threatening the sovereignty of

States and regional and global stability through, among

other things, acts of State violence, acts of terrorism,

the infringement and calling into question of sovereign

rights enjoyed by States, the annexation of territories

through the illegal use of force, the production and

use of weapons of mass destruction, the sponsoring

and harbouring of secessionist or terrorist movements,

religious fundamentalism manifested through terrorist

attacks, the forcible displacement of millions of people,

and hunger and distress, which intensify migration

flows and create demographic changes.

These are but a few examples that bear out the

need to evaluate, through collective debate and self-

assessment, whether the United Nations principles,

values and methods have indeed contributed to what we

have all been hoping for — the maintenance of peace

and security and respect for the fundamental freedoms

and human rights of all people.

I am not a romantic ideologist; quite the contrary,

I am a pragmatic realist who acknowledges that in this

imperfect world it is extremely difficult, even impossible,

to expect the full and unquestioning implementation of

United Nations principles and values. However, what

is happening today risks overthrowing the current

world order, calling into question the relevance and

effectiveness of this international Organization.

It is not my intention to cast doubt on or minimize

the multidimensional contribution of the United Nations

to a plethora of cases over the past seven decades. What

is important is to enhance the Organization’s role and

safeguard the effectiveness of its decisions, as well

as its actions. Should decisions or resolutions based

on international law condemning violations of human

rights not be implemented or enforced, that could be

seen as fostering or even rewarding arbitrariness. In

that case, regional differences and conflicts could be

prolonged indefinitely, serving the petty interests and

expedience of their perpetrators at the expense of

international law and our universal principles.

I do not intend to enter into detail of what we are

witnessing and experiencing every day in different

parts of the world. I will limit myself to the example

of my own country, a small European country that has

for almost 40 years been violently divided, despite

numerous Security Council resolutions calling for its

reunification and the withdrawal of the occupation

forces.

I take this opportunity to assure the General

Assembly that, despite the current economic difficulties

we are facing, I am committed to working tirelessly

and with determination to reach a viable and lasting

settlement so that all the communities of Cyprus may

live and thrive in a modern European country that fully

respects the values and principles of the United Nations

and the European Union, safeguards the fundamental

freedoms and human rights of all its people, and

ensures their peaceful coexistence and prosperous

collaboration.

As I have already conveyed to the Secretary-

General, it is my firm belief that the current status quo

is unacceptable and that its prolongation would have

further negative consequences for Greek and Turkish

Cypriots. Therefore, a comprehensive settlement is not

only desirable, but should not be further delayed. In

that respect, I wish, as a leader with a sincere vision

of reuniting my country, to once more call on Turkey

and our Cypriot compatriots to demonstrate the same

determination and commitment and become partners in

the effort for the reunification of a peaceful, secure and

prosperous homeland.

The reference made by the President of the Republic

of Turkey, Mr. Abdullah Gül, in this very Hall (see

A/68/PV.5) to the 2004 proposal that, through genuine

democratic procedures, was not accepted by the vast

majority of Greek Cypriots for a number of substantive

reasons, does not absolve Turkey from its obligations

and responsibilities concerning the efforts to find a just

solution and does not truly reflect the realities on the

ground, as borne out by the relevant United Nations

resolutions.

Nonetheless, I welcome the decision of Turkey to

respond positively to my proposal to hold meetings with

the negotiator of the Greek Cypriot community. I hope,

and at the same time expect, that this positive response

will be followed by practical and substantial steps and

the adoption of a constructive attitude, guided by good

faith, that will contribute effectively towards reaching

a settlement.

In that respect, it is my strong belief that it is of

paramount significance that a dynamic impetus be

launched, either before or even during the negotiating

process, in order to restore the confidence of the people

of Cyprus in the prospect of reaching a settlement. Such

an impetus can be achieved only through the adoption

of bold measures that are seen as game-changers and

as creating a win-win situation, not only for both

communities but also for all interested stakeholders.

With that in mind, I have submitted a package

proposal that, among other things, includes the return

of the ghost city of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants,

under the auspices of the United Nations and in line

with Security Council resolution 550 (1984). The return

of Famagusta, along with the evident advantage of

reviving the hope of the people of Cyprus, will also

provide a number of benefits. The infrastructural

restoration of a city that has been uninhabited for 39

years will undoubtedly lead to the creation of new jobs

in a wide variety of professional fields, providing a

major boost to the economy of the country. At the same

time, by working together, building mutual trust and

enjoying the results of joint collaboration, Greek and

Turkish Cypriots will come closer to the realization of

the benefits of sharing together a prosperous future,

just as we have done in the past.

I believe that the Assembly shares my assessment

that this proposal, which is complementary to

the negotiating process, is to the benefit of both

communities and that its acceptance would provide a

much-needed stimulus to the prospect of reaching a

settlement. At the same time, in order to avoid entering

into a new frustrating negotiating process, the time for

the start of the negotiations is not as important as that

they be conducted in a comprehensive manner with

clear substance, aims and targets.

To that end, I consider it essential that, before the

start of the negotiating process, it be clearly established

that the basis and solution to be reached will adhere

to the relevant United Nations resolutions, the high-

level agreements and the evolving transformation of

the Republic of Cyprus into a bi-zonal, bi-communal

federal State with a single international personality,

single sovereignty and single citizenship. Moreover,

the settlement must embody our capacity as a European

Union (EU) member State and fully enshrine its

values and principles by enhancing the role of the EU

in the negotiating process. I have to clarify that such

a role played by the European Union would merely

supplement and complement the United Nations good

offices mission in order to guarantee not only our

effective and efficient participation in the European

Union, through the proper implementation of the

acquis communautaire, but also the restoration of the

fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Cypriots.

Last but not least, an important humanitarian

aspect of the Cyprus problem is the issue of missing

persons. We salute the progress achieved so far. The

issue must be resolved as soon as possible, regardless

of the developments in the negotiations.

The positive and stabilizing role that Cyprus can

assume in the eastern Mediterranean — especially

in the areas of combatting terrorism, fighting the

proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and

providing humanitarian assistance —has in the past

few months received extensive recognition. Keeping

Cyprus peaceful and stable and maintaining its

constructive regional role is a primary objective of my

Government. We have proven that we are a reliable

and interconnecting bridge between Europe, North

Africa and the Near and Middle Easts — in terms of

both perception and actions — as well as a credible

and stable country that gives true credence to being

a safe haven. That has been demonstrated in practice

several times during periods of massive humanitarian

evacuations. We stand ready once more, if it is deemed

necessary — and hopefully it will not be — to contribute

in a substantive manner to any international call to

provide humanitarian aid and facilities to the nationals

of any third country.

A recent and most encouraging development in our

area is taking place in the field of energy cooperation.

The very promising potential of hydrocarbon

exploration in the Levantine basin requires that all

countries in the region work closely together, bilaterally

and regionally. Pertinent to that and a testament to our

constructive role in the region is the fact that Cyprus

has assumed a leading role in bringing neighbouring

hydrocarbon-producing countries together, seeking

opportunities not only for maritime boundary

agreements, but also for joint efforts in exploring those

hydrocarbon resources. Energy, in my opinion, should

be not a source of conflict, but a catalyst for conflict

resolution and regional integration.

The Millennium Development Goals framework

has galvanized unparalleled development efforts and

guided global and national development priorities since

2000. While three of the eight Goals have been achieved

prior to the final deadline, much work remains to be

done ahead of 2015. With only two years left, enhanced

commitment, resources and efforts are needed, as is a

coordinated and integrated approach that can contribute

to accelerating progress towards the achievement of all

the Millennium Goals.

As a small island State facing particular challenges,

we understand well why the coherence of all processes

leading to a single and universal post-2015 development

agenda is crucial. New and emerging asymmetric

challenges — such as climate change and natural

disasters, terrorism, inequalities and the necessity for

the prevalence of the rule of law, democracy and human

rights — require renewed and collective commitment

and an effective target-oriented post-2015 framework

with poverty eradication and sustainable development

at its heart.

As the Secretary-General says in his report entitled

“A life of dignity for all: accelerating progress towards

the Millennium Development Goals and advancing the

United Nations development agenda beyond 2015”,

“the world’s quest for dignity, peace, prosperity,

justice, sustainability and an end to poverty has

reached an unprecedented moment of urgency”

(A/68/202, para. 1) “and the world’s nations must

unite behind a common programme to act on those

aspirations” (ibid., para. 120).

Cyprus strongly subscribes to the joint efforts in

fulfilling this task.

A few months ago, my country received

unprecedented international attention because of

the economic crisis. I am proud to say that, due to

the persistence, determination and resilience of the

people of Cyprus, we are rising to the challenge and

will soon lead our country to the path of recovery and

growth. My political vision is for Cyprus to receive

international attention yet again, but this time for all

the right reasons.

This points to an end in the long-standing

anachronistic division of my country, in line with

the aspirations of our people, especially the younger

generations, to coexist peacefully in a European

country that fully respects their fundamental human

rights and freedoms. I am certain that all will agree

that the reunification is in the interests not only of the

people of Cyprus, but also of the entire international

community, since a solution to the Cyprus problem

will undoubtedly have a very important spillover effect

on efforts to achieve a much-needed environment of

stability, security and peace in our region.

For our part, we are determined to rise to the

challenge of this historic responsibility and do our

utmost with the aim of providing a more stable,

prosperous and conciliatory future in our immediate

region, so that our legacy is remembered by generations

to come.