Anastasiades: March Cyprus solution ‘overly optimistic’

The notion of a Cyprus solution by March is ‘”overly optimistic” Greek Cypriot Leader Nicos Anastasiades has said, citing no agreement on timeframes either with the Turkish Cypriot side or with foreign leaders.

Anastasiades was speaking to Greek TV channel ERT in Athens.

There had been progress in the talks but still many obstacles to overcome and distance to be covered.

“There is a possibility of finding solutions but there are still many details… there are obstacles regarding territorial adjustments, the property issue… There is still distance to cover and what is said about March is overly optimistic,” he said.

The Turkish Cypriot side would like to see a solution and referendum by March, or at least before the Greek Cypriot parliamentary elections in May. Anastasiades caused a stir among the political parties at the weekend when he told them during a Greek Cypriot National Council meeting to prepare for a possible postponement of the elections in case there was a Cyprus solution.

Asked about this by the Greek interviewer, Greek Cypriot Leader Anastasiades said “there is reserved optimism that there is political will, particularly for Turkey to contribute, moving from words to action, in solving problems we face and which concern her.”

House President Yiannakis Omirou said on Wednesday that Cyprus’ constitution contained no provision for the postponement or cancellation of elections. Referring to the postponement of elections in 1965 due to the earlier intercommunal troubles, Omirou said this was done under the Law of Necessity. “What’s the hurry?” he asked. “Let’s agree on a [Cyprus] solution first.”