I would like to warmly thank all those who supported me and fought with consistency and self-sacrifice in the first round of the Presidential elections. I would like to particularly thank the thousands of volunteers who worked so hard. The trust they have shown in me is an honour.

The people have made their choice. I respect and honour the citizens that have voted for my rival candidates. I especially express my respect to President Papadopoulos with whom, despite whatever differences we have had, we waged together difficult struggles. It is a fact that, irrespective of our disagreement with some choices, the President served the interests of our country.

We are now called upon to decide on Cyprus's future. It is true that we all sense  that time is running out as long as things remain stagnant. Time is working against the Republic of Cyprus. 

Based on this reality, next Sunday the citizens of Cyprus will be called upon to answer a pivotal dilemna concerning the direction and content of our initiatives  for the search of a just solution of the Cyprus problem: for an agreed solution that will be endorsed by the Cypriot people themselves in a referendum.

The solution can be achieved through a policy that will combine the adherence to the principles of International and European Law, militancy, assertiveness and flexibility. The solution can be achieved by utilising our presence in the European Union, our close relations with permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations and our traditional friendly relations with the member states of the Non-Aligned Movement. It is self-evident that we will make the most of the relations we have built through many years of struggles and sacrifices with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots for the benefit of Cyprus.

It is however vital to stress the following: the threat of partition does not only come from the stalemate due to Turkey’s intransigence alone. It also comes from the possibility of a bad solution. We will never accept a solution unless it is based on the fundamental principles we fought for all these years. As always we will remain consistent, militant and assertive for the rights of our people. We will never accept a solution for the sake of a solution. The policy of excessive submissiveness is equally impassable.

As far as internal governance is concerned, the option is also clear. We choose on the one hand between the mixed economy and social justice which we represent and on the other hand the neo-liberal policies that Mr. Kasoulides represents which threaten social cohesion and the gains and rights of our people. I am certain that we share these dilemmas with the leadership and the people who vote for the Democratic Party DIKO, the Socialist Party EDEK, the Ecologists and other Movements with whom we have waged common struggles for progressive solutions to the problems facing our people.

Dear fellow-citizens,

As I have pledged, given that the Cypriot people honour me with its trust, I will form a government of capable and progressive personalities that will express all persuasions, aiming at the renewal of the political life of the country, the modernisation of the Cypriot economy, stable economic development for all and a more just human-centred society.

Our policy will embrace all Cypriot citizens. In any case, what unites us now is our common ideology: what unites us is Cyprus and its salvation and a more humane society.

Dear compatriots,

Next Sunday, we leave behind everything that divides us, we leave behind stalemate, we leave behind talk of the past.

We forge a peaceful, happy future for all Cypriots without exception.

We look ahead to the future. We will tackle the challenges before us. We unite forces. We unify Cyprus.

President Papadopoulos has already communicated with me. I have also talked with Mr. Karogian and Mr. Omirou with whom we shall meet.
 
Finally, we warmly congratulate the Elections Department of the Ministry of Interior, as well as the public servants for the faultless way in which they have conducted the electoral procedure so that we could have the final results so early.

We express the certainty that our people will also conduct the second round of the Presidential elections next Sunday in the same orderly fashion, with the same political maturity and the same respect to democracy.