Leaders discussed the Economy and EU chapters
President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades met yesterday as part of the second round of the intensified Cyprus negotiations.
The Leaders’ meeting took place at the UN building reserved for negotiations while discussions focused on the economy and EU chapters.
The two Leaders will come together again today, as well as on 10 and 14 September.
The Leaders are scheduled to hold eight meetings between 23 August and 14 September.
Akıncı: “We should be fair for solution and peace”
President Mustafa Akıncı stated that both sides in Cyprus should act in a fair and equal manner on the Cyprus issue.
“We should be fair. We should not forget that the other community also has rights. If we do, we will not reach a solution on the island” President Akıncı added.
Akıncı stressed that the period of negotiations lasting until the end of the year is extremely important. If the Greek Cypriot side continues with a logical and realistic approach then it will be possible to reach a settlement on the island, he added.
Akıncı said that now is the time to establish a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal state, “and to gain our communal rights again,” as Turkish Cypriots have been excluded from South Cyprus for 53 years.
“This is a great opportunity. It is possible to establish a civilized, modern system by building a new future based on equality, freedom and security” Akıncı added.
Akıncı: “Anastasiades’ proposal does not address the security concerns of the Turkish Cypriot people”
President Akıncı stated that the written proposal made on 2 September by the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades on the issue of security and guarantees does not address the security concerns of the Turkish Cypriot people.
In an answer to the TAK reporter, President Akıncı said that Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, as well as the United Nations, agreed not to make any public statements regarding the negotiations until 14 September.
Akıncı said: “The tripartite meeting which will take place in New York on 26 September with the participation of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, was scheduled to be announced in our joint statement on 14 September. Despite our agreement, the Greek Cypriot Leader unilaterally announced the meeting – this was not appropriate.”
Akıncı also added that it is very important for the negotiation process that both sides act in accordance with to their agreements.
British Minister of State visits Cyprus
The British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alan Duncan has arrived in Cyprus as part of a 3 day visit.
According to a statement of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Duncan will meet with President Mustafa Akıncı, the Greek Cypriot Leader Anastasiades and the Greek Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasulides.
Duncan said that the United Kingdom has strong ties with Cyprus, and added that “the UK supports the current negotiation process and is ready to do whatever is necessary to reach a settlement in Cyprus.”
“I will meet both leaders and I support and appreciate the efforts of the two leaders in Cyprus” he noted.
Akıncı will receive British Minister of State Duncan
President Mustafa Akıncı will receive the British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alan Duncan tomorrow. The meeting will be held at 10:00 am at the Presidency.
Anastasiades: “The number of registered Greek Cypriots was intentionally increased from 677,000 to 800,000”
A report published by Simerini, a Greek Cypriot newspaper, has outlined that Greek Cypriot political parties are concerned about convergences reached and proposals made in the negotiations, as set out in the official records at the Greek Cypriot Presidential Palace.
According to the report, the Leader of Citizens Alliance in South Cyprus Yorgos Lillikas, sent a letter to Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades asking for his reasons for accepting the figure of 220,000 Turkish Cypriot citizens.
Mr Anastasiades said in response that the number of registered Greek Cypriots in the Greek Cypriot Statistical Office was intentionally increased to 800,000 from 667,000 in order to legitimize 100,000 citizens of Republic of Turkey origin.
Distrust against Anastasiades
The Greek Cypriot newspaper Fileleftheros has reported that six of the eight Greek Cypriot political parties are believed to distrust Leader Nikos Anastasiades.
Some of the parties also questioned how the Leader has handled the negotiations.
The newspaper noted that none of the political parties intend to support Anastasiades ahead of a crucial period for the Cyprus issue.
The newspaper reported that the DIKO leader Nikolas Papadopoulos was followed by other opposition parties in expressing that he did not trust Anastasiades. According to the report, EDEK leader Marionos Sizopulos also stated that latest developments confirm Anastasiades’ attitude in the talks is unsuitable. Sizopulos asked Anastasiades to clarify his position about the multiparty conference but did not receive a response.
The leader of the Solidarity Movement Eleni Theoharus also highlighted that she has doubts about the course of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem. The Yorgos Perdikis, the Green Party leader, stated that as the National Council has been eliminated Parliament should become more involved. ELAM expressed that they have lost their trust in the Greek Cypriot leader, and claimed that Anastasiades’ mistakes take the country down a dangerous road.
Crack in Greek Cypriot negotiating team
The Greek Cypriot daily Simerini newspaper has reported that the Greek Cypriot negotiating team and Leader Nikos Anastasiades have begun to have diverging positions within the negotiations.
The newspaper reported that objections raised by members of the Greek Cypriot negotiating team related to how the solution was being shaped as well as the structure of the new executive system.
According to the news, some of its members believe that the new system will be unsustainable. It was also reported that Polis Poliviu, a member of the Greek Cypriot negotiating team, will no longer attend the negotiations.
Greek Cypriots spent €315,000 at our hotels
Greek Cypriots have spent €315,000 at Turkish Cypriot hotels in August.
The information was brought to light by the Greek Cypriot newspaper, Fileleftheros, which quoted the company JCC as their source.
Furthermore, Greek Cypriots spent €283,000 on Turkish Cypriot hotels in July and €175,000 on shopping.
Greek Cypriots also spent €112,000 on plane tickets between the TRNC and Turkey.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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