TRNC News 9.12.2016 - Akıncı: “Political parties in Parliament can participate in Geneva”

Akıncı: “Political parties in the Parliament can participate in Geneva meeting”

President Mustafa Akıncı has stated that he would welcome the participation of political parties represented in Parliament at the five-party conference, which is due to start on 12 January in Geneva.

President Mustafa Akıncı has returned to the island following his two-day Brussels visit.

During his Brussels trip, President Akıncı met with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, and the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Stating that he had received positive feedback in Brussels and that the interest in the Cyprus issue was also pleasing, Akıncı added, “I think this is a reflection of the determination and commitment of the Turkish Cypriot people in this process.”

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side’s readiness for the EU is one of the key points of the talks, Akıncı said that the institutions in the north should be prepared for European accession and that works should be accelerated in this framework.

However, Akıncı also highlighted that the Greek Cypriot side has been a member of the EU for the last twelve years and received significant contributions during this period, and stated that more will need to be done to support the Turkish Cypriot side and address this economic disparity According to President Akıncı, the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker reaffirmed his promise that to provide financial support for the settlement in Cyprus.

Stating that the EU also wants to attend the five-party conference in Geneva on 12 January, Akıncı reminded that the European Commissioner for Enlargement Verheugen took part in Burgenstock in 2004 on behalf of the EU; similarly, at this forthcoming conference, the EU can be involved as a related party at the negotiation table.

Responding to questions, President Akıncı said that security and guarantee issues will be discussed at the meeting in Geneva, with the attendance of the guarantor powers of Turkey, Greece and the UK. Akıncı also reiterated the statement of the Turkish Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın, who announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will attend the five-party conference due to be held on 12 January.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Tuğrul Türkeş: “We support Akıncı’s constructive efforts ”

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Tuğrul Türkeş stated that Turkey fully supports the ongoing negotiation process in Cyprus and President Akıncı’s constructive efforts in this regard.

Stating that they are closely following President Akıncı’s efforts, Türkeş added, “Successive governments of the Republic of Turkey have maintained their strongest support to the Turkish Cypriot people since the Turkish Cypriots were excluded from the administration by the Greek Cypriots. Today, we are committed to continuing all kinds of financial, economic and social support to the TRNC alongside the ongoing negotiation process on the island.”