Akıncı: “I believe Cyprus has reached a critical junction”
President Mustafa Akıncı stated that Cyprus has reached a critical junction. Following his meetings in Brussel, Akıncı attended the 20th Eurasian Economic Summit as a guest of honour and made a speech at the presidential session.
Speaking at the presidential session on “Humanity at Crossroads”, President Akıncı made clear that reaching a solution on the negotiations that have been ongoing for 50 years is now possible if both sides share the same enthusiasm and effort.
President Akıncı added, however, that “We have to accept the likelihood that we will enter a new path if a solution cannot be agreed.”
Emphasizing that a solution would be to everyone’s benefit, Akıncı said, “As the Turkish Cypriot side, we endeavour for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality.”
Akıncı also added that, contrary to the common attitude in the rest of world, it is possible to establish a joint federal state in Cyprus in spite of the religious, language and ethnic differences on the island.
Türkeş: “Vote to mark Enosis as ‘sacred’ should be eradicated”
Referring to the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades, who left the negotiating table and slammed the door back on 16 February, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Tuğrul Türkeş said, “This was a strike in the face of the Turkish Cypriots, along with the fact that they later voted on Enosis as being ‘sacred’. This decision should be revoked”. Türkeş made the comments while speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA)’s editorial board.
Answering a question on the possibility of reaching an agreement that both sides could accept, Türkeş said that Turkey would accept a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution that includes two equal federal states in Cyprus.
Pointing out that both sides should pay attention to each other’s sensitivities and suggestions, Türkeş pointed out that “Enosis is the ideal of annexing Cyprus to Greece” and said that there is nothing else to discuss with the Greek Cypriot side regarding that issue.
UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson: “The UK wants to see a solution in Cyprus”
Speaking during a press conference, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson stated that the UK wants the Cyprus negotiations to reach a solution.
Johnson was speaking at a press conference, after meeting his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias during his visit to Athens.
Johnson also pointed out that the leaders of the two sides showed a great deal of commitment to finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, and said that they deserve support and encouragement. He added that the UK will encourage both sides to reach a solution as soon as possible.
Source: TRNC Public Information Office –
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I served in Cyprus during the troubles,in the Royal Navy and our civilian drivers were all locals Turkish & Greek Cypriots who were all a happy bunch and got on very well together, I had both at my wedding in 1958,and hope and pray they will come together again to bring your lovely island the peace &a prosperity it so deeply deserves.lol
Thank you for your comment. I am writing separately to you by email.