Cyprus Talks: Greek Cypriots side afraid of the status of the TRNC been upgraded: Akinci

Turkish Cyprus President Mustafa Akinci has said that the Greek Cypriot side were afraid of the status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus being upgraded. 


According to report by BRT, Akinci who made the remarks in an interview to TAK new agency highlighted the importance of the sustainability of any settlement to be reached, adding that the Greek Cypriot side had remained unwilling about the implementation of various confidence building measures.

“The reason for this is the Greek Cypriot side’s fear of upgrading the status of the Turkish Cypriot side”, he said.

He also urged the United Nations not to attempt trying to take on any initiatives to bring the peace process back on track if it chooses to take action in fear of not offending the Greek Cypriot side.

“We need to understand whether or not they have the willingness to build cooperation on a number of issues which they have been blocking for the past two years. Otherwise we are fed up with constantly repeating ourselves at the negotiating table. For example how many more times am I going to explain the Turkish Cypriots’ well justified position regarding the issue of active participation in decision making. I too agree that this method is insufficient in producing results. Perhaps it would be more useful if the UN played a more active role, although not as an arbitrator. But if the UN is going to act out of fear of not offending the Greek Cypriots then it should not bother trying to bring the two sides together”, said Akinci.

Speaking on the Enosis day decision, Akinci said the right thing to do would be for the Greek Cypriot side to overturn the decision

“We have expressed our views regarding the Enosis decision clearly. I believe that there is no one left who does not understand the negative impact it has created within the Turkish Cypriot community”, he said.

“This is the logical way to go about it. I hope that this will happen soon”, Akinci added.

BRT