Akıncı: “Our aim is to successfully complete the intensified negotiation process and hold a tripartite meeting in New York”

President Mustafa Akıncı met with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu yesterday, as part of the Minister’s official visit to the Island.

According to the President, the aim is to successfully complete the current intensified phase of the negotiation process and to hold a tripartite meeting in New York, which will pave the way for a multiparty meeting attended by the two sides as well as the guarantor countries.

President Akıncı affirmed that 2016 is the year a settlement can be reached but there is still a long way to go to reach that result. Akıncı also stated that reaching a settlement is everyone’s goal and Turkey is fully committed to supporting this goal until the end.

Regarding the exploration of hydrocarbons around the Island, President Akıncı called for all parties to refrain from acting in a way which could make it more difficult to achieve this goal.

A settlement must be based on the political equality of the two constituent states, Akıncı affirmed, and this will only be possible by the people’s approval.

“We are working to reach a settlement which will be accepted by both sides. We are considering the security and equality of both sides on the Island, and peace can only be reached if both of these conditions are present.”

As part of his speech, Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that the most challenging issues of property, territory and security and guarantees will be discussed in a meeting with the guarantor powers. The Minister also added that this multiparty meeting should be held as soon as possible in order to avail of this opportunity for a solution on the Island.