UN General Assembly
2023

As President of the Republic of Cyprus. I believe in peaceful coexistence because, despite growing up in a divided country. I also grew up in a country filled with the hope of reunification and heard stories of all Cypriots living together in peace, united by the land they shared. The new generation of Cypriots is also eager for peace, and that gives me hope and courage. Ahead of my journey to New York. I received a plethora of messages from my Turkish Cypriot compatriots, particularly from the younger generation, calling on me to exert every effort to reunify Cyprus. My message from this rostrum to my Turkish Cypriot compatriots and to all Cypriots is that I hear their call for peace. I understand their concerns and assure them that I will spare no effort to make our common dream of reunification and peace on our island a reality. I want to be able to tell them that the world, the United Nations, the living words of the Charter of the United Nations, also hear their call for peace.