Guterres: “Leaders agreed on the need to reconvene the Conference on Cyprus in June”
5 June, 2017Turkish Cypriot short film to be screened at the Twin Lion International Short Film Festival
7 June, 2017A solution can be reached if all sides have a positive attitude, President Mustafa Akıncı said, but added that, “there is no need to extend the negotiations; what we need is determination”
President Mustafa Akıncı was speaking during a press conference he held during his trip to New York, where he was invited by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to resolve the previous deadlock in the Cyprus talks. President Akıncı emphasized that the Geneva Conference would be a ‘solution conference’ at this stage.
Pointing out that the issues on the Cyprus problem have been discussed for a long time now, Akıncı said that mutual steps should be taken by both sides from now on. He emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot side has already expressed its determination for a solution and said that it was “the Greek Cypriots’ turn” to demonstrate a similar resolve.
“Both sides have agreed on the path to follow during the meeting organized by the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Preconditions have disappeared and the way to Geneva has opened up” said President Akıncı.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots also have rights over the natural resources of the island, Akıncı added that cooperation opportunities would open up if an agreement is reached.
Stressing that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades understood that preconditions would not be accepted, President Akıncı underlined that the Turkish Cypriot side adheres to previous agreements and has no preconditions.
President Mustafa Akıncı will return to the island this afternoon.