Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Monday expressed his hope that a functional and viable solution could be worked out in 2008 for the divided Mediterranean island.
In his New Year message, Papadopoulos said, "We look forward, with faith and optimism, to ensuring peace and safety in our divided country through a truly viable and functional solution to our national problem that will reunite our people and our land."
"We hope that in the year 2008, such a solution will become a reality and a permanent situation for the benefit of the entire people of Cyprus, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," said the president.
He vowed to work hard in a constructive spirit for such a solution.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek officers who pushed for union with Greece.
For several decades, the United Nations has continuously worked to persuade Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to find a viable solution.
But in a referendum held in April 2004, Greek Cypriots rejected a settlement plan by then U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan because it would not meet their aspiration for the island's reunification, while Turkish Cypriots approved it.
Source: Xinhua
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