Addressing the Assembly on Friday, Anastasiades highlighted his vision for broader regional cooperation catalysed by the discovery of fossil fuels, and for Cyprus to assume an active role in effecting it.

“The discovery of hydrocarbons in our neighbourhood has undoubtedly upgraded its strategic importance,” he said. “Energy can serve as a catalyst for broader cooperation, thus contributing to peace and stability, and as a means of strengthening regional and EU energy security and diversification, which will boost the economies of the countries in the area.”

“We stand ready to contribute towards this cause and even mediate in bringing neighbouring hydrocarbon-producing and hydrocarbon-consuming countries together,” he added.

Anastasiades also reaffirmed his commitment to working towards a settlement of the Cyprus problem, calling on Turkey to show genuine political will by adopting his proposed package of confidence-building measures.

“Following the [February 2014] Joint Declaration and intensive negotiations between the two sides, comprehensive proposals on all chapters of the Cyprus problem have been submitted,” Anastasiades recounted. “We have now reached the phase of concentrating our efforts to bridging the differences, so as to pave the way forward towards a viable and lasting settlement.”

“It goes without saying that what is also needed is the demonstration of genuine will by our compatriots to negotiate in good faith and by Turkey to contribute constructively to the efforts to reach a settlement, not only in theory and rhetoric, but through practical and substantial actions.”

“A first step towards the long-awaited demonstration of genuine political will would be the adoption of my proposal for bold Confidence Building Measures that would create a win-win situation for all parties concerned, helping build mutual understanding, confidence and good will, thereby serving as a catalyst to the on going negotiating process.”

Anastasiades argued that the status quo is unacceptable, and that a solution to the Cyprus problem would incur benefits to all involved.

“Cyprus and its citizens deserve much more than a divided country,” he said. “Forty years is more than enough for all of us, and it is high-time for all those involved to realise that the artificial complacency related with the current status quo is to the benefit of no one. A solution would be to the benefit of all Cypriots, Turkey, our immediate region, and, evidently, the international community.”

The President also welcomed the recent appointment of the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser, Espen Barth Eide.

“We believe that his appointment, at a critical juncture in the negotiating process, demonstrates the UN determination to ensure that the process moves decisively forward,” he said.

Following the conclusion of the General Assembly, Anastasiades met with US Vice President Joe Biden.

The meeting lasted one hour, comprising a 20-minute private talk and a 40-minute session for which they were joined by their delegations.

Anastasiades and Biden shook hands and hugged before reporters, but no joint statement was made.

Later on, Anastasiades said Biden informed him ofhis meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, in which they discussed the Cyprus problem.

Government sources said that Biden informed Anastasiades of Erdogan’s pledge to work towards a settlement, although he clarified that the talks were being handled by his associates.

“The meeting with the Vice President was conducted in a friendly atmosphere and revolved around, firstly, the USA’s increased interest in the Cyprus problem and the extent to which they can help,” Anastasiades said.

“Secondly, enhancing our bilateral relations and the various issues that can become that very enhancement.”

“Thirdly, acknowledging the increased importance of Cyprus’ role in the region, and finally the protection of Cyprus’ sovereign rights to its Exclusive Economic Zone.”

Asked what he might expect of the Americans, Anastasiades said “their active involvement.”

“Meaning, should the talks move forward or facing difficulty, nudge the Turkish side to achieve harmonisation with the Joint Communique, the basic principles of the European Union, in a solution that will not create winners and losers,” he said. “Instead, it will create a state that will be equal within the EU and will address both sides’ concerns.”

Meanwhile, Greek Foreign minister Evangelos Venizelos and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed the need for their two countries to contribute to efforts to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Turkish sources cited by the Cyprus News Agency said that the two men agreed that their countries cooperate to address regional problems.

But news of Greece and Turkey pledging support for the peace process were dampened by remarks by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, who said that the only common feature between the two communities – Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots – is that they live on the same island.

Eroglu made the remarks in New York, where he met with Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and the Saudi Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Iyad bin Amin Madani.

Eroglu said that he discussed the Cyprus problem with Mammadyarov, describing the breakaway regime’s relations with Azerbaijan as “important.”

With regard to his meeting with Madani, Eroglu said he was assured that the OIC chief will encourage Islamic states to improve their relations with the regime.

When asked by Madani what the two communities in Cyprus have in common, Eroglou replied that their only common feature is the fact that they inhabit the same island.

Source: Cyprus Mail