Cyprus Talks: Turkey’s stance led to deadlock in Crans-Montana - Anastasiades

Greek Cypriot President, Nicos Anastasiades has blamed Turkey for the failure of the Cyprus Talks saying Turkey`s stance led to the deadlock at the talk in Crans-Montana last July, and questioned whether any other country would accept the continuation of the system of guarantees, or the presence of a foreign country`s army on its territory.

Anastasiades made the remarks on Sunday while addressing the Fighters Association of City and District of Limassol (SAPEL) reunion reports Greek Cypriot daily, Cyprus Mail.

According to Anastasiades, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots must create a viable and functional state, where both communities can live under conditions of peace. The problem, he said was Ankara’s policy of wanting to control the whole island.

And this is unfortunately the problem we face today and this was the reason why last July (in Crans Montana) a titanic effort to achieve a solution has led to a deadlock, he said.

Mutual respect was needed between the two communities, he added.

Anastasiades said Turkey only wanted to continue the anachronistic system of guarantees, as well as unilateral intervention rights, and have a permanent presence of the Turkish army on the island wondering whether any other country would accept this.

These are the obstacles we face, he said, adding however that the Greek Cypriot side was determined to continue the dialogue to reach a solution that would create a state, viable and truly independent, just like the UN Secretary-General had laid out “that is a normal state, functional and totally in line with European principles and values.

Otherwise the state would be a protectorate of Ankara, he said.

Which political leadership would accept guarantees, unilateral intervention rights, military base, permanent presence of the Turkish army, or the veto right of a community – of which we do recognize political equality – but wants to have even more rights? he added.

Edited from Cyprus Mail