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In his Independence Day address, President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday night said a new window of oppurtunity had opened, reigniting hope for a final solution to the Cyprus Problem.

In his address, which was broadcast live on state television, Anastasiades said: “The anniversary of the declaration and establishment of our state is an opportunity for deep deliberation of the path we have followed all these years”.

This he continued was because: “The creation of the Republic of Cyprus, instead of being the start of a new, hopeful course, unfortunately became an element of hostility and division between the two communities making up the Cypriot people”.

Anastasiades said that from the start neither of the two communities had put trust in the bicommunal character of the new state, instead considering it either a temporary condition or a springboard for the completion of foreign plans.

“Instead of building bridges of creativity we barricaded ourselves behind unachievable and conflicting goals,” he added.

This, the President continued, created ideal conditions for third parties to intervene “serving their own interests with the result leading us to the tragic events of 1963-64 and what followed to end up with the destruction of 1974”.

Anastasiades said that what followed was an unacceptable situation that continues to this day “keeping our homeland divided and 37% of the land under Turkish occupation”.

Referring to past efforts to solve the Cyprus Problem, Anastasiades went on to say: “Today we have before us a new window of opportunity which has revived our hope for a final settlement of the Cyprus Problem”.

He said this hope was cemented by his conviction he and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci “share the same determination and courage, mutual respect and sincerity, to, through dialogue, make the common vision of our people for peace and prosperity a reality”.

He said negotiations had led to the discovery of common ground but acknowledged there was still work to be done.

“I would like to assure you that my main priority is to reunite our land, taking into particular account the sensitivities and historical concerns of both communities,” Anastasiades said.

Addressing both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Anastasiades said he would repeat what he recently tod the General Assembly of the UN, that the conditions of a long-term, viable and functional solution would be one centred on respecting the rights of all those involved.

This solution, he said, would be one that would not create winners or losers.

The President also added Cyprus should use its EU membership towards gaining this solution.

“It is time for us to make use of our accession to the European Union to achieve a solution that will make our country and its citizens truly equal to other European citizens,” Anastasiades said.