Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II pointed out on Friday that Turkey is distancing itself from the basis of a federation solution in Cyprus and should probably be reported, and reiterated the Church`s position that foreign experts should be called in to draft a solution plan.
The Archbishop was speaking after a meeting with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Steven Vanackere, who earlier met head of the EU negotiating delegation Leopold Maurer and Head of the EU Representation in Cyprus Androula Kaminara.
Archbishop Chrysostomos said he briefed the Belgian official on the Church`s positions regarding the Cyprus problem, noting that the Turkish side is speaking about “two states, two governments and two peoples, which is not a federal basis.“
“The Church believes that we will not reach an agreement and in order to reach an agreement we must appoint independent experts, constitutionalists, sociologists, historians, and experts on Turkish issues from European countries, who respect human rights, who will work within the principles of the EU and the UN,“ he said.
The Archbishop said that “they should work in this context to present a proper federal solution, which will be functional in order to also be viable,“ adding that, “if we do not work in this direction, I fear that a solution that our people will embrace will not be found.“ He said he explained to Vanackere that these principles concern human rights.
www.famagusta-gazette.com, Aug 28, 2010