President Mustafa Akıncı stated that Cyprus has reached a critical junction. Following his meetings in Brussel, Akıncı attended the 20 th Eurasian Economic Summit as a guest of honour and made a speech at the presidential session.

Speaking at the presidential session on “Humanity at Crossroads”, President Akıncı made clear that reaching a solution on the negotiations that have been ongoing for 50 years is now possible if both sides share the same enthusiasm and effort.

President Akıncı added, however, that “We have to accept the likelihood that we will enter a new path if a solution cannot be agreed.”

Emphasizing that a solution would be to everyone’s benefit, Akıncı said, “As the Turkish Cypriot side, we endeavour for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality.”

Akıncı also added that, contrary to the common attitude in the rest of world, it is possible to establish a joint federal state in Cyprus in spite of the religious, language and ethnic differences on the island.