Akıncı: “It is obvious that a solution cannot be reached with the same method”

President Mustafa Akıncı has said that the TRNC Government shares the same opinion as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding the future of the process in Cyprus, and that Guterres was not attempting to revive the process, as a result of the upcoming elections in the Greek Cypriot side.

In a statement to the press following his meeting with Guterres in New York, Akıncı stated that he had the opportunity to share views with Guterres and understand his position.

Pointing out that the current Secretary-General was a useful contributor in Crans Montana, Akıncı noted that the framework that Guterres proposed was distorted by the Greek Cypriot side’s wishes, and that the Greek Cypriot administration could not enter into this framework while the Turkish side remained faithful.

Akıncı outlined that the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades could not be expected to make serious decisions when preparing for the election. He then pointed out the reasons the problem could not be solved, where mistakes were made, and the way to solve it.

Akıncı also stated that they should also try different methods to achieve more successful results in the future. President Akıncı said, “It is obvious that a solution cannot be reached using the same method”.

Expressing that the Greek Cypriot side is indifferent to the idea of equality with the Turkish Cypriots and that it is widely understood that they are not ready for a solution based on political equality, Akıncı said that the Greek Cypriot side should acknowledge and accept that one day, a Turkish Cypriot could also be the president of the common state. He asked what kind of partnership would be established if this were not the case.

President Akıncı stated that the Greek Cypriot side should also discuss these issues during the election process.

Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot side continues to live under isolation and embargoes despite the contributions made by the Turkish Cypriot side in the direction of a solution, Akıncı stressed that they do not want this situation to continue.

President Akıncı reiterated that the geography of the island cannot be changed and that searches for a solution will continue. He added that he was satisfied with his contacts in New York and his contacts with Guterres.

On the other hand, President Mustafa Akıncı received Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu, within the framework of his New York meeting programme.

Akıncı and Sinirlioğlu evaluated the situation and exchanged views at the meeting which took place in the TRNC’s New York Representative Office.