President Mustafa Akıncı:  “The main problem of the Greek Cypriot side is that they perceive Cyprus and the seas surrounding the island as their own”

“Unfortunately, the main problem of the Greek Cypriot side is that they perceive Cyprus and the seas surrounding the island as their own and define them their own areas of sovereignty. They do not want to share or even discuss these issues with the Turkish Cypriots” said President Mustafa Akıncı.

President Akıncı received the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, A. Wess Mitchell last Friday. Following the meeting, Akıncı evaluated the meeting and the latest developments to the press.

President Akıncı described the meeting with Mitchell as comprehensive, and said that it was unfair to accept that only the Greek Cypriot side possesses the pre-established partnership state and acts as the sole owner of the island, the surrounding seas and the island’s natural wealth.

Reiterating that the most practical and cheapest way to transfer Cyprus’s and Israel’s natural gas to Europe was through Turkey, President Akıncı said, however, the Greek Cypriot side was insisting on more expensive and time-consuming methods such as taking the pipeline through southern Cyprus to Crete, Greece, and Italy, passing through deep waters.

“Unfortunately the Greek Cypriot side sees even the seas as its own, its own area of sovereignty, and they do not even want to discuss this issue with the Turkish Cypriots,” Akıncı said.

He added that this incorrect attitude only causes tensions, and said: “Therefore, it is very important for the Greek Cypriot side to change their mentality.”

President Akıncı denies the accusations directed at him for being unwilling to meet with Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades at an informal dinner, and said that unless the Greek Cypriot side changes their stance and mentality, the Turkish Cypriot side is not willing to enter a process which will end before it even begins.