SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good evening, everybody.
Let me begin by saying how very pleased I am to be here in Cyprus. I
have closely followed the challenges on this island for literally
decades, 28-plus years in the United States Senate while on the Foreign
Relations Committee, and you couldn’t help but be engaged in the
challenge of Cyprus. And it has been a priority for me and for President
Obama – for President Obama before, but for me since I became Secretary
of State.
The United States is focused on this and has been focused on this at
the highest levels from Assistant Secretary Toria Nuland’s extensive
engagement, her trips here, to Vice President Biden’s visit last year,
to my many meetings with the leaders of both communities in New York in
September and elsewhere, and to a number of continued phone calls
encouraging progress in the process of trying to bring about peace.
In recent months, it has become clear that the ground really is
shifting and tangible progress is being made. And I am more convinced
than ever that a resolution to the longstanding division of Cyprus is
within reach and with it the many benefits of unity for all the people
of the island. It doesn’t mean it will happen automatically. It’s
difficult, but it can be done....
My meetings today really reinforced that conviction. I met with
President Anastasiades to discuss cooperation on regional threats but
also the prospects for settlement. And separately, I met with Mr.
Akinci, who shared his views on the settlement process. And this evening
I will have dinner with both leaders along with my friend Espen Barth
Eide, who has worked diligently on behalf of the United Nations to
support this process.
I’ve been impressed already today by both Nicos and Mustafa, who are
working really hard for peace and making the tough and creative
compromises that this moment demands. They absolutely deserve our
support and the support of all Cypriots. Both leaders underscored
something that we strongly believe in the United States: Not only will a
just and comprehensive and lasting solution for Cyprus have an
enormously positive impact on the island, it will lift up the entire
region. A lasting settlement will bring opportunities for economic
growth and development all across the island. It will attract foreign
investment. And with a lasting settlement to this decades-long conflict,
Cyprus could also become a regional energy and commercial hub.
A united Cyprus will stand as a beacon of hope in a tumultuous part
of the world at a time when people need that beacon. It will be a model
for other places in search of a peaceful, multiethnic future. All you
have to do is look in any direction from here and you can appreciate how
much the world could use an island of peace, harmony, and prosperity in
the Mediterranean right now.
That is why the international community has a responsibility to help
support a settlement. It is not a burden that Cypriots should or even
could shoulder alone. As I made clear in my meetings today, the United
States is strongly supportive of the UN-facilitated, Cypriot-led
settlement process to reunify Cyprus as a bi-zonal, bi-communal
federation. And I can assure you that the United States will do our part
to ensure that it is implemented, including through technical and
financial assistance.
Believe me, I do fully understand how difficult it is for the people
of Cyprus to put the differences of the past aside. I have met Cypriots
of all ages and walks of life who have spent much of their lives in the
shadow of tragic division. Yes, we must respect the past, but our focus
must be on what we can change, not be prisoners of the past. Our focus
needs to be on the future.
And today I have witnessed that desire for change firsthand and I
have seen a real passion for peace. I just came from a youth basketball
practice game, scrimmage, not far from here, and the group was called
PeacePlayers – young Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots shooting hoops
together. The fact is that no one has more to gain from a lasting
settlement than the young people of this island. And with peace, someday
that very group of kids may be building businesses together, opening
joint NGOs, or even leading this island together.
So my message today is very simple: The United States is committed
and will remain committed to Cyprus and to its people. And we will
continue to support its leaders as they make the most of this moment, as
they work towards a settlement and pursue a better future for the
island. We believe this is Cyprus’s moment and we’re confident that it
can be. Thank you.
