President Akıncı: “This path will only lead us to a solution if we walk together”

President Mustafa Akıncı has emphasized that no one should expect unilateral steps from the Turkish Cypriot side at the negotiation table in the new negotiation process which will start on Tuesday. He added that, “The Turkish Cypriot side has taken important steps over last two years and a result can be obtained if the two sides act in concert. This path will only lead us to a solution if we walk together.”

Speaking at an event, President Akıncı stated that the UN would play an important role in the new process. “Serious shuttle diplomacy should be pursued between the two negotiation parties and three guarantors. We do not want any arbitration or official written proposals. We want ideas and proposals that could help us bridge the gaps.  The UN officials could come up with ideas that would help by respecting equality and remaining impartial,” said Akıncı.

“The Turkish Cypriot side will behave reasonably and realistically. Zero troops and zero guarantees are not realistic nor reasonable proposals,” said Akıncı, referring to the Greek Cypriot side’s demands on these issues.

Stressing that the future cannot be reached with old attitudes, Akıncı said that the future can be built by establishing a feeling of peace and a federal relationship. “There is no minority and majority parties in a federal understanding, there is only political equality,” added Akıncı.