Cyprus Talks: Open mindedness and Co-operation will solve Cyprob - Akinci

Turkish Cypriot president, Mustafa Akinci has said a partnership with the vision of equality, the spirit of co-operation necessitated by our era and an open-minded mentality are needed to solve the Cyprus problem.

Addressing the 21st Eurasian Economic Summit in Istanbul, Akinci said that a new chapter cannot begin without going beyond the ordinary.

Speaking on the informal dinner meeting he is expected to have with Greek Cypriot President, Nicos Anastasiades on Monday, 16 April, Akinci said that he will once again explain his vision and recall the “need of Cyprus for a culture of cooperation and consensus and not for tension and quarrels”.

He expressed the view that the technological developments make cooperation possible and even impose cooperation in many fields in Cyprus, but “narrow-mindedness” still continues to resist technology. 

He pointed out that as a result of this, it is still not possible to use mobile phones to communicate between one half of the island and the other. He said that a political decision on the issue had been taken and all the technical conditions had been secured, but because of the Greek Cypriot mentality, this connection was not possible. 

Akinci also accused the Greek Cypriots of not being willing to cooperate with the Turkish Cypriots on the issue of electricity, water, the universities and the exchange of visits between secondary school students.

Speaking on the natural gas and oil resources in Cyprus’ sea, Akinci expressed the view that it is possible to use them with a vision of cooperation and an approach which will include other countries in the region as well.

The transfer of these resources, which constitute common wealth of the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, could be secured with an energy pipeline which will be built according to economic reason and connect the Middle East with Europe passing through Turkey”, he said.

It was an historic mistake that the Greek Cypriots insist on carrying out unilateral activities as if this wealth belongs only to them, instead of adopting an approach which could turn many countries of the region into strategic partners, he concluded.

Star Kibris