President Mustafa Akıncı said that a development to find a solution to the Cyprus problem can be experienced in June, following the EP Elections in May.

Akıncı received the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative to Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar, ahead of her visit to New York where she will be briefing the UN Security Council.  Akıncı wished Spehar to convey to the UN Secretary General that the Turkish Cypriot side spends efforts to reach a solution based on equality and the Greek Cypriot side’s continuing stance not to accept the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots is not acceptable, and also a disruption to the solution process. Akıncı added that Jane Holl Lute, who was appointed by the UN Secretary General as a temporary envoy to work on resumption of the negotiations, is holding meetings with both sides to create the terms of reference, but the Greek Cypriot side not accepting ‘equality’ is not acceptable.

Pointing out that they discussed the issue of mandate of UNFICYP at the meeting, Akıncı said that he does not have an expectation for UNFICYP to leave the island but he believes that UNFICYP’s mandate should be reviewed. Stressing that UNFICYP was deployed on the Island of Cyprus in 1964 for only three months and its mandate is extended every six months by asking only the Greek Cypriot side’s view, Akıncı said that the presence of UNFICYP in its current state does not contribute to achieving a solution in Cyprus. Expressing that almost half of the expenditure of UNFICYP, 54 million dollars, is supplied by the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece, Akıncı said that this situation creates some weaknesses. Adding that the guarantor countries made an observation that a development will not be forthcoming until the end of May due to the European Parliament elections, Akıncı said that the date when all sides will be ready seems to be June. Stressing that approval of the terms of reference by five parties is important, Akıncı said that due to this reason, Lute is holding meetings not only with both parties but the guarantor countries as well. Akıncı expressed that the content is more important than the date. If the content is not appropriate, the negotiations may continue for years.

Furthermore, adding that the Turkish Cypriots desire an early solution but they do not desire an open ended and strategic agreement, Akıncı said “As long as the current mentality of the Greek Cypriot side for not sharing authority and prosperity does not change, we will have a very troubled process. We are in a process in which the sincerity of the Greek Cypriot side is tested”.