Cyprus Talks: Turkey and Turkish Cypriots should abandon unacceptable positions - Anastasiades

Greek Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades has called on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to abandon their unacceptable positions and work constructively “to terminate the occupation and reunite the divided Mediterranean island.

Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots must abandon all the unacceptable positions we’ve been hearing during the past several days and work constructively to terminate the occupation and reunite our country, he said.

Anastasiades made the remarks when addressing a seminar in Nicosia on Friday to mark 150 years since the inauguration of the central Church of the Apostle Andreas Monastery in Karpasia, which happened to be in Northern Cyprus.

According to him, it is clear that the resumption of the negotiations and a positive outcome require the necessary preparation and cooperation of all interested parties and stakeholders, and “particularly, Turkey, which is the party that bears the responsibility”.

Achieving a settlement that will terminate Turkey’s occupation and illegal settlement, rid Cyprus of foreign troops and foreign dependencies and restore and safeguard human rights and the fundamental freedoms of the people as a whole remains our firm goal, he said.

He stressed that the settlement must be based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions and EU values and principles, safeguard peace, security and stability and guarantee the progress and welfare of all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Culled from Cyprus Mail