TRNC President Akinci proposes a change of pace in the negotiations

In a ‘Global Leadership Forum organized by Bahcesehir University in Istanbul on Saturday May 14th, the TRNC President Mustafa Akinci, in a key note address proposed a new model for the talks aimed at stepping up the intensity of the Cyprus negotiations. Akinci emphasized the need to conclude the fifty
years-long negotiations and put a proposed solution to a referendum before the end of 2016. According to him:

“The intensified negotiation process could take place somewhere in Cyprus or abroad”.
“We propose to go to a different high level meeting right after the May 22 elections, if not in June then in July. In other words, we propose to carry out a continuous meeting. Let’s begin with the territory issue. Afterwards, we should proceed to a five party meeting with the participation of the guarantor powers and discuss the issue of security and guarantees. As soon as we complete this process, we will proceed to a referendum. The other four chapters may not be completed by July. I am of the opinion that if we reach a consensus on one or two matters related to the property issue and the rotating presidency, then the remaining issues will be easily solvable”.