President Akıncı: ‘zero troops and zero guarantees’ cannot be the starting point of talks

Stating that the approach of ‘zero troops and zero guarantees’ cannot be the starting point of talks, President Mustafa Akıncı said that insisting on such a position would only render the negotiations useless as this would create a deadlock.

Akıncı stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side’s goodwill has always been clear in the negotiation process. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side will be attending the Geneva conference on 28^th June in good will, as they have in the past.

According to the TRNC Presidency’s statement, Akıncı claimed that it will be possible to reach a settlement if all sides attending the conference remain open-minded and added that Cyprus is big enough for everyone.

He said, “It is possible to solve the Cyprus problem, which has been ongoing for over 50 years, and to create a future where everyone can live in peace and prosperity on the island. This is the understanding that we are taking with us to Geneva. I only hope that the Greek Cypriot side and Greece do the same”.

Pointing out that the issue of security was not only important for the Greek Cypriot community but also for Turkish Cypriots, who represent a smaller percentage of the island’s population, the President reiterated his view that it was detrimental that the security concerns of both sides were addressed in any agreement to be reached on the issue.

He added, “We would not want our security to be perceived as a threat by our neighbours. We also don’t want them to feel the same way we do”.