Move to harmonise the TRNC with the EU acquis must not be interrupted - Akinci

The harmonization of North Cyprus with the EU acquis should move ahead without interruption, states a letter by Turkish Cypriot president, Mustafa Akinci to the president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.

According to a report by Turkish Cypriot daily Yeniduzen on Wednesday, Akinci wrote that preparations for this work should not become a victim of obstacles imposed by the Greek Cypriot side.

The letter was in response to a letter sent to leaders of the divided Cyprus communities by Juncker after the talks in Crans-Montana collapsed last month.

In his letter, Juncker had said that the EU provided a strong framework “through which the historical bonds between the two communities must be strengthened further”.

Any solution to the Cyprus problem should be a European solution because the EU affords the best prospects for a lasting peace and prosperity for the two communities and the country, but also for stability in the region, the letter said and also reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to continue to support Cyprus.

In the letter, Akıncı also assessed the developments and consequences of the failed Cypriot Conference in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, noting that the EU authorities had witnessed the good will and constructive attitude of the Turkish side, but expressed his disappointment that this historic opportunity to find a solution to the Cyprus problem had been lost.

Akıncı said that the Greek Cypriots would need to change their mentality in order to share power and authority with the Turkish Cypriots adding that repeating the old methodologies would not overcome the problems.