Cyprus Talks: Greek Cypriot side cannot digest the fact that there is a politically equal population on the island - Akinci

Turkish Cypriot president, Mustafa Akıncı speaking on th Cyprus Issue on Friday, said that despite all the efforts exerted by the Turkish Cypriot side to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, the main reason why a solution has not been found is that the Greek Cypriot side cannot digest the fact that there is a politically equal population on the island. 

Akinci, made the statement during the opening ceremony of the 10th Lefke Yafa Orange Festival on Saturday.

He said that for years efforts had been exerted for a lasting and permanent solution to be found to the Cyprus problem.

Explaining that the Greek Cypriot press had been giving room to news that the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades had proposed a three way meeting and that the Turkish Cypriot side had rejected this, President Mustafa Akıncı said “we are not shying away from any meeting, agreement or anything that will allow for peace and prosperity to come to Cyprus”.

Reiterating once again that despite all the Turkish Cypriot side’s efforts to obtain a solution this had not been possible, Akıncı said that the root cause of the reason why a solution was not obtained is because the Greek Cypriot side cannot accept the reality that there is a politically equal entity on the island, the Turkish Cypriots. 

Emphasizing the reality that the Greek Cypriot side was now taking a step back from the previously accepted consensus between the two sides, President Akıncı referred to the statement made by Nicos Anastasiades himself at Crans Montana.

Anastasiades had announced that they had accepted that the Turkish Cypriot’s would have a right to use a positive vote during the Council of Ministers that would be set up in the future. But despite this now he is saying that he cannot accept the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people, said Akıncı.

What we expect from Lute is that she meets with Anastasiades and if there is clarification on the political equality issue and all murky waters have been cleared then we will accepted a three party, four party or a five party meeting there is no problem there, President Akinci added.

He emphasized once again that he had no intention of just meeting to create an atmosphere as though the negotiations are going to start again and trick the public. 

Pointing to the importance of keeping the public informed the President said it is the people that will decide on their future. 

BRT