Cyprus Update: Contentious issues on the Cyprus problem to be discussed Friday

Cyprus: The ongoing talks between the two Cyprus communities for a settlement to the lingering Cyprus problem will now focused on more contentious issues in the next meeting between the two leaders on Friday July 29, the last of July's intensive meeting revealed Greek Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades after Tuesday's July 26 meeting in Nicosia.


Speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s meeting, Greek Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said the meeting, between himself and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, had concentrated on internal security and administrative powers adding that it was “productive”.

Anastasiades said that convergences were reached during the meeting and revealed that Friday’s meeting would be focused on issues of “significant importance, including territorial adjustments, security, and guarantees”.

“Naturally, it will be a kick-off meeting, a brainstorming session to see what each side aims at and whether mutual understandings are possible,” Anastasiades said.

On if maps could be tabled by either side on Friday, Anastasiades said “not likely, but I wouldn’t rule it out”.
Anastasiades said that abandoning the ‘2016 milestone’ relating to the absence of any reference to a solution by the end of 2016 in the United Nations Security Council report on the peacekeeping force in Cyprus was a matter of “facing the realities, and not on what we would like to see”.

“What I want to stress is the constant progress on a range of issues,” said Anastasiades,

“However, I am unable to offer a note of optimism unless difficulties facing us on the issue of either properties, which might be helped by progress on territory, or security and guarantees.”

In response to a statement made by Turkish Premier Binali Yildirim who issued a warning to Greek Cypriots that this was the final opportunity to reach an agreement with the Turkish Cypriot, Anastasiades during a speech at the conference of overseas Cypriots said he was saddened that the positive atmosphere in the talks was poisoned by such comments.

Anastasiades said that if Yildirim really wanted a state that would even support Turkey’s prospects and goals, Ankara should support the ongoing negotiation towards reaching a settlement as soon as possible.

“It would be to their benefit, to the benefit of the Turkish Cypriots, the benefit of the Greek Cypriots, the benefit of Europe, it would be to the benefit of peace in the region in general.”

“I must say that, through dialogue, the concerns of each community are being understood better, and improvements and progress are achieved through the creative contribution of each side,” Anastasiades said.

Turkish Premier Yildirim was earlier quoted by Reuters as saying that Turkey wants UN-backed reunification talks on Cyprus to continue, but warned that this round of negotiations was the final opportunity for Greek Cypriots to reach a deal.
Speaking to a joint news conference with the prime minister of Turkish Cypriot, Huseyin Ozgurgun, Yildrim said;

“The Turkish Cypriot side has, with full sincerity, acted constructively,”

“This is the last chance for the Greek Cypriot side, which has always acted as the game spoiler. We recommend they use this chance wisely,” Yildirim added.

Source: Cyprus Mail