Cyprus Talks: Greek Cypriot's not ready for a settlement

Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı has said that the latest proposals put forward by the Greek Cypriot leadership once again demonstrated that the Greek Cypriot side was not ready to accept a settlement on the basis of political equality within the framework of UN parameters.

In a written statement issued on Tuesday, Akıncı said that the Turkish Cypriot side has been adopting a clear stance ever since the UN Secretary General’s Temporary Special Adviser Jane Holl Lute had embarked on her mission to draft the Terms of Reference aimed at restarting talks.

He added that the Turkish Cypriot side has been ready from day one to discuss the 30 June 2017 Guterres Framework in its original form without watering it down or distorting it.

We reminded that political equality and effective participation in decision making is vital for us, said Akıncı, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s goal has always been to build a future that will enable both communities to live in equality, freedom, security and peace.

Akıncı also accused the Greek Cypriot leadership of constantly faltering its positions regarding a settlement.

First the Greek Cypriot side brought up the concept of a decentralised federation but it failed to provide substance and detail. Then they said they were ready to discuss the 30 June 2017 Guterres framework but instead tried to invent another framework document dated 4 July 2017. Just recently they rehashed a rejected proposal presented in the early days of the negotiations proposing a system whereby the president would be a Greek Cypriot and you would have a rotational prime ministry. Not only is this proposal old it is not in accordance with the Guterres Framework which envisages a 2 to 1 system of a rotational presidency.

Akıncı said that it was inhumane and unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side, which adopted a consistent and constructive stance both in efforts to reach a settlement and the drafting of the terms of reference, to be continued to be punished.

He said that there was a good chance the report that the UN Secretary-General will present to the UN Security Council, as in previous times, will fall short of reflecting accurately the positions of the two sides.

Nevertheless, the positions of the two sides regarding the drafting of the terms of reference must be included in the report in a clear and impartial manner, Akıncı said.

The President said a solution in Cyprus could not be found by starting from scratch but as the UN Secretary stated, through a timetabled and results-oriented process which was not open-ended and which accepted past convergences, the 11 February 2014 Joint Declaration and the 30 June 2017 Guterres Framework.

Akinci also said that the international community should no longer turn a blind eye to the injustice faced by Turkish Cypriots and the determined and sincere stance adopted by the Turkish Cypriot side for peace in Cyprus.

Akıncı concluded by stating that the continuation of the status quo will have negative consequences for both communities both in the short and long term.

Source: BRTK