Akıncı: “I have no objection to meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader”

Stating that he has no objection to meeting or talking with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades, President Mustafa Akıncı said that the possibility of holding a meeting, even if only a social meeting, will be assessed over the coming days.

President Mustafa Akıncı held a meeting with the political party leaders of the coalition government at the Presidential Palace yesterday. Speaking to the press following the meeting, President Akıncı stated that they discussed the latest developments of the Cyprus issue and domestic matters.

Mentioning the Derinya and Aplıç border gates issue, Akıncı said that preparations for both border gates will be completed by means of a tender process or via ministries’ own facilities.

 Stating that the requirements of the decision taken on May 2015 regarding the border gates will be done, Akıncı said, “Both sides need to do their own part to open the border gates as soon as possible. We are calling for no further delays.”

Regarding the return of Maronites to their village, President Akıncı reminded that a decision was taken by the government in the summer months on this issue. Akıncı also noted that several decisions had been taken at the committee meeting between the Presidency and related ministries and that another meeting would be held in order to take some political decisions in this regard.

Upon a question regarding the possibility of holding a social meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades, President Akıncı said that the possibility of such a meeting would be assessed over the coming days. President Akıncı also emphasized that the only way of solving a problem in Cyprus or elsewhere, is to come together and that expecting different results for the same problems within the same framework is impossible.