Cyprus Talks: Anastasiades ‘deeply concerned’ about lapse of time and its consequences on Cyprus talks

Greek Cypriot president, Nicos Anastasiades has stressed his strong commitment to achieve a solution of the Cyprus problem saying that he was deeply concerned about the lapse of time, and the subsequent consequences, since Cyprus reunification talks collapsed in the summer of 2017 

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Anastasiades called on Turkey to rise to the occasion and demonstrate the necessary determination to reach a settlement and “concretely contribute to regional stability.”

Unfortunately, as the peace process remains at an impasse since the Conference on Cyprus of July 2017, I am deeply concerned about the lapse of time and its consequences, the president said.

When the last round of talks broke down in Crans-Montana, Switzerland last year, Ankara said it was time to look outside the UN framework for a solution.

Recent reports say Turkey is currently making targeted attempts to change the basis of the negotiations, seeking a confederal instead of a federal solution. 

The Turkish Cypriots also want a fixed timetable.

Anastasiades told the General Assembly that he remained strongly and truly committed to achieving a solution on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions and the European Union acquis, continuing the negotiations on the six-point framework that the UN Secretary General had set at Crans-Montana as the basis for the way forward.

Let me be clear: Only a viable and functional solution, in line with our EU membership and the best practices of democratic countries of the UN, can establish the conditions for achieving lasting peace, allowing my country to fully take its stride and for all Cypriots to live in a normal state and work together for the prosperity and security of all, he said.

Anastasiades repeated that Greek Cypriots were determined to rise to the challenge “of our historic responsibility and do our utmost so as to provide a peaceful future for all Cypriots and the region.”

First and foremost, a viable and lasting settlement would be to the best interest of the people of Cyprus, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and their aspiration to live in a normal and prosperous European country, fully independent and free from any foreign dependencies.

The urgency of the negotiations resuming has also in part, a connection with a wider review of peacekeeping forces around the world.

CM