Anastasiades: Ready to resume a 'creative' dialogue

Government sources have publicly speculated as to Lute's arrival date, an indication of the pressure the government is sensing as result of the prolonged stalemate in the Cyprus talks. According to the same sources Lute is expected to arrive on the island between 15-20 of December. 

Meanwhile President Anastasiades said he is ready to cooperate with the UN envoy with a view to resume “a creative dialogue” with prospects.

“And for prospects to exist it should be understood by all parties involved that right cannot be interpreted on the basis of the right of the strong but on the basis of international principles and values,” President Anastasiades said addressing an event at the Presidential Palace to mark the UN Day.

If, he added, “we all decide on the basis of these principles and values we may succeed in serving peace, better serving the Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, because not only Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are suffering due to the present unacceptable state of affairs but also the neighbouring states and all those who are involved in this dispute.”

Our aim, he went on to say, “is based on the vision and aspiration to become a model of stability, predictability and create synergies to promote mutual prosperity and stability for all, especially in the flammable and volatile region of which we are an integral part.”

Anastasiades also welcomed the widening of these trilateral groupings with other partners in certain fields strengthening the current mutually beneficial cooperation.

Stating that neither Cyprus nor Greece is in conflict with Turkey, Anastasiades added that “we have no reason not to cooperate and not to develop the same excellent relations with the remaining neighbouring states.”

As he said, “the region’s natural wealth constitutes a source and an opportunity for cooperation and not a pretext for the continuation of friction and disputes.”

“There is no one who would not like to see developing our relations with neighbouring Turkey,” he said, adding that “a small country such as Cyprus has no need for disputes, it needs peace, cooperation and prosperity.”

“Our aim for a viable and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem lies within this context,” he added.

The President furthermore expressed gratitude to the UN because their presence, in the form of the UN Peacekeeping Force averted further escalation of tensions and friction.