President Akıncı evaluates the recent developments on the Cyprus issue

President Mustafa Akıncı evaluated the recent developments on the Cyprus issue with a press conference.

Speaking at a press conference, Akıncı stated that the main aim of the press conference is not responding to the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades, yet wanting to clarify some issues, adding that although the stage was very close to the solution in Cyprus, it was not achieved and the parties should evaluate this issue.

Reminding that it is clear that Turkish Cypriots would not accept having minority rights and be dominated in a unitary Greek Cypriot state, Akıncı said that a great majority of the Greek Cypriots would not accept the two separate states as well.

Akıncı also stated that we are in the current stage of whether to work for a federal solution or to tolerate the continuation of the status quo, and added that the continuation of the status quo had various dangers for the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

Pointing out that the reasonable way forward is to look for an acceptable compromise in the federal solution, Akıncı noted that the settlement to be reached is referred to many UN resolutions and reports that will be based on the political equality of both sides.

Reiterating that what will happen in the case of no numerical equality was clarified in the negotiations carried out within the framework of the UN parameters, Akıncı evaluated the statements of the Greek Cypriot Leader Anastasiades.

Criticizing Anastasiades’ stance on natural gas, President Akıncı said that the Greek Cypriot leader stated that some issues would be of concern only to the Greek Cypriot community and that this was not reasonable.

Akıncı said that a settlement can only be achieved in the region in a process in which Turkey and Turkish Cypriots will be involved.

Pointing out that the federation is seen as a painful practice by the Greek Cypriot leadership, Akıncı said that the only solution to unite the two communities is a federal solution.

Recalling that the Greek Cypriot side has always had the view regarding the central government to have more authorities, Akıncı stressed that even if the powers of the constituent states increased, “we will not accept decision-making in the central government to be on the basis of simple majority-minority.”

Noting that the United Nations Secretary-General temporary special Envoy Jane Holl Lute is expected to arrive in Cyprus before the new year, Akıncı said that ‘will we be able to share power and prosperity instead of sharing new suffering in the future ’is the question that needs to be answered.