President Akıncı: “The Greek Cypriot side should prepare its community for some realities”

Speaking to the media following his meeting yesterday with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades, President Mustafa Akıncı reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side will do their utmost to achieve a solution, but that other parties must also do the same. He added that the Greek Cypriot side should start preparing its community for some realities and potential outcomes from the talks.

Akıncı also stated that the second Conference on Cyprus in Geneva will probably take place after 13 March.

President Akıncı emphasised that both sides are aware that any agreement which does not include a rotating presidency is not possible and would not be presented to a referendum. Akıncı reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side, as well as the Greek Cypriot side, also has indispensable principles, such as ‘security’, ‘equality’, and ‘freedom,’ and a rotating presidency is one of them.

Turning to the recent attacks on Turkish Cypriot cars in Trodos, Akıncı said that the important thing is to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Akıncı also pointed out the importance of seeing this justice fairly served by the Turkish Cypriots, a concern which is shared with the Greek Cypriot side.