Leaders to meet today
President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades will hold another meeting today within the framework of ongoing talks for a Cyprus settlement.
Following the leaders’ meeting on the 7th of October, President Akıncı stated that a referendum could be held in mid-2017 unless a “car crash” takes place.
Akıncı also stated that they aimed to resolve the four chapters in October as much as possible, adding that they would reconsider the unresolved issues at a later stage.
President Akıncı also stated that if a consensus could be reached on territory, security and guarantee issues, the political framework of the settlement might emerge.
Schulz: “We are ready to accept a united Cyprus to our family”
Stating that they are ready to accept a united Cyprus to the family of the EU, the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said yesterday that, “Europe is not complete unless Cyprus becomes united.”
Speaking at the opening of a photo exhibition entitled “Lost Lives of Cyprus beneath the Carob Trees”, Schulz said that the European Parliament (EP) has been a great supporter of the reunification of Cyprus for a long time.
Emphasising that Cypriots can always trust in the support of the EP, Schulz said, “We believe that the reunification of Cyprus means bringing together those who belong to each other. We are ready to accept a united Cyprus to our family. Europe is not complete unless Cyprus becomes united.”
Schulz thanked both to President Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades for their efforts, and praised the intensified negotiation process on the island,
Stating that a federal solution will be for the benefit of all Cypriots, he added, “I am sure that if this negotiation process continues in this spirit of empathy and reconciliation, a united Cyprus and living together will be realized.”
The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker also expressed his support for President Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades in the Cyprus negotiation process, and said that he is following the process closely.
The time has come for the reunification of Cyprus, Juncker continued, warning that, “If we lose this chance, we will not get the same chance again.”
Nuland in Cyprus
The US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland has arrived in Cyprus. Nuland will be received by President Mustafa Akıncı today.
Victoria Nuland will also meet with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades.
Çavuşoğlu: “We support the efforts of the leaders on the island and we believe this opportunity should not be missed”
Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu referred to the Cyprus issue at the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
Emphasizing that they want to reach a lasting settlement on the island in this year, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said, “We support the efforts of the two leaders on the island. We believe this opportunity should not be missed.”
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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