Cyprus Talks: "The people will have the final say on the Cyprus Issue" - Akinci

The President of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, Mustafa Akinci has said that the people will have the final say as to whether or not the divided Cyprus island should be reunified and pointed out that the reunification talks had reached its final stage where determined and courageous steps were required to create an island where all sides could live in freedom, security and political equality.

Aknci made the comments in a written statement on Sunday when evaluating the recent developments in the negotiations process.

He noted that the people will have the final say whether or not the island should be reunified when they vote in a referendum on the final settlement plan but added that talks have not reached that stage.

“It is possible to reach that stage with the support of organised groups on both sides. Instead of focusing on unjustified short term interests, we need to act with the understanding that a settlement will have enormous benefits in the long term. This is our responsibility to future generations,” he said.

He said that every step he takes in the negotiations, is taken conscientiously, always keeping in mind the responsibility he has towards the Turkish Cypriot people.

He pointed out that there were some groups in South Cyprus who rejected the principle of a bi-zonal federation and who wanted to grant the Turkish Cypriots minority rights in a Greek Cypriot controlled unitary state.

“These groups have been deeply disturbed by the fact that we are progressing towards an outcome where Turkish Cypriots will be granted political equality,” he said.

Akinci who said he had promised to tell the truth to the Turkish Cypriot people from the very beginning, said;

“I will not be abandoning this position on the issue of maps either. A solution in Cyprus is only possible by regaining our political equality stripped from us in 1963 by Greek Cypriots, through a federal framework and by returning land that we took from Greek Cypriots as a result of the war in 1974.”

He also pointed out that all maps dating back to even the oldest UN Secretary General’s, envisaged 29% of the land being left in the hands of Turkish Cypriots in the event of a solution, adding that this will continue to be the figure as and when a solution is reached.

He noted that few Turkish Cypriots would be forced to relocate in the event of a settlement.

“Those who will have to relocate will be provided new housing and job opportunities. No one will be forced to move without these being provided,” he said.

BRT