Akıncı: “If a positive result is obtained, five-party conference will come into being by itself”

President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades emphasized  that today will be a critical day as they continued their ongoing negotiations on the criteria related to the territory issue.

President Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades made a statement outside the restaurant which they visited with their wives and their teams in the town of Montreux.

Akıncı said: “Everything is not finished yet, but it is clear that we have made significant progress.”

Stating that they will continue to negotiate the territory criteria, Akıncı said “If a positive result is obtained, the five-party conference will come into being automatically.”

In a statement made to the Greek Cypriot press members, Akıncı said, “Tomorrow [11 November] is an important day, if we reach an agreement on the territory criteria and conclude our negotiations positively, we can pass to the next step. This step will be the five-party conference that will finalize everything.”

Akıncı emphasized that their aim is to solve the Cyprus problem which has been on the agenda for more than 50 years and present a new life to new generations across the island.

In his speech, Greek Cypriot Leader Anastasiades said: “Negotiations have been continuing in a positive atmosphere which responds to each side’s concerns but this is not enough. Everything depends on tomorrow [11 November]when we will be able to see if it is possible to finalize a sustainable solution.”

Stating that the two leaders are working on the most difficult issues, the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide said that he was pleased with the determination and willingness of the leaders.

Noting  that considerable progress has been made regarding the negotiations, although there are some issues yet to be agreed, Eide said that the leaders are spending most of their time discussing the territory criteria in Switzerland.

Welcoming the statements of the two leaders, Eide added, “Tomorrow [11 November] is a critical day – one ofthe most important days in this process. I have expectations regarding success.”

Noting that the territory issue has never been discussed by Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders in history before, Eide emphasized that while solutions have been imposed on the leaders in the past,  decisions are now being taken by the leaders themselves.

Responding to a question about the possibility of the talks hanging on Saturday, Eide said they are ready to do whatever necessary in order to help the process.

Eide also stated that carrying the talks to Mont Pelerin was a good decision because the leaders found a chance to spend more time together, and hold bilateral and multilateral meetings which enhance their chance of reaching a  settlement.