Akıncı: “We hope that Greek Cypriots can change their approach”

President Mustafa Akıncı has said that the Turkish Cypriots are being “realistic and rational” in their approach to the meetings which will be held in Switzerland between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot Leaders.

“I hope that Greek Cypriots can change their approach” Akıncı said. “We want them to be realistic and rational in their approach to the meetings in Switzerland as well. Besides, we want the Greek Cypriot side to grasp that we can never reach a solution with their understanding that there should be ‘no troops and no guarantees”.

President Mustafa Akıncı discussed the Cyprus issue at an event he attended and shared his expectations about the negotiations to be held in Switzerland next week.

According to Akıncı, negotiations in Switzerland will be very important, and their aim is to finalize the process for the creation of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, based on the political equality of two constituent states, and which both sides will be able to vote ‘yes’ to.

The Switzerland visit, Akıncı said, would not be the end of the road.

“If we leave Switzerland without a result, it will be time to think more about the Cyprus problem in 2017. This issue, which has been negotiated for 50 years, cannot be discussed for another 50 years. Everyone, including the UN, should be aware of this.”

 “We support a reasonable and realistic solution, but we have a limit. Once that limit is passed, there will be no solution. We hope that the Greek Cypriot authorities come to Switzerland with an open mind and understand our concerns in real terms”.