Cyprus Talks: “Anastasiades’s negative response is worrying but not surprising” - Akinci

North Cyprus President Mustafa Akıncı has stated that the attitude of the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, who has clearly rejected his April 30^th call to accept the Guterres framework, was worrying but not a surprise.

In a written statement issued on Thursday, Akıncı highlighted the need for the international community, particularly the UN and the EU, as well as organizations on both sides of the island, to evaluate this situation objectively.

President Mustafa Akıncı pointed out that with these latest remarks, the Greek Cypriot leader had revealed that he rejects notions of political equality and effective participation of both sides in decision-making, and that he desires an arrangement in which decisions can be taken with a simple majority. Akıncı stated that this stance shows that the Greek Cypriot leadership, contrary to its statements, prefers the continuation of the status quo on the island.

As you know, I made a call to the Greek Cypriot side in my speech on 30th April 2018 that if they are ready to accept the Guterres framework as it is, we could declare it as a strategic package. In this case, we would have considered it meaningful to re-commence negotiations regarding the remaining issues, he said.

However, one month has passed now Anastasiades giving a positive answer. Akinci noted that Anastasiades had clearly stated in his interview with the Greek Cypriot newspaper Fileleftheros that he refused Akıncı’s call. 

Akinci pointed out that despite the fact that Anastasiades had expressed many times since Crans Montana that he adopted the Guterres framework, it had become clear through his recent actions and statements that in fact he does not accept it.