President Anastasiades sends messages in view of the Geneva meeting: I regret to say…
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
If the Turkish side insists on positions that seek to control the new state of affairs and the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus, then the prospect of a Cyprus settlement on which all look forward does not exist, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said on Wednesday, noting that if the other side understands how the EU and other modern states work then the Geneva conference on Cyprus could deliver results.
The President remarks were made as the two sides continue the UN-brokered talks ahead of a new meeting to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on 9-11 January, followed by a conference on Cyprus on January 12 in the presence of the guarantor powers, Greece, the UK and Turkey as well as other relevant parties as needed.
“If the other side shows the appropriate intention to achieve a solution, then you can be sure that wishes will come true,” he said speaking during a ceremony for the staff in the Presidential Palace for the Christmas and the New Year. He added however that “if the other side continues to act in a way that disregard the Greek Cypriot concerns, we will be in a difficult position to say that we could reach a solution.”
He pointed out his determination, his will and intention to reach a settlement that would address the concerns of both communities, reiterating that the Greek Cypriot never sought a solution that would have winners and losers.
But he made clear that as the Turkish Cypriot side sets issues considered as red lines, it should be aware that the Greek Cypriot side has concerns that should be satisfied as well.
“And we, both communities, have every reason on the basis of Republic of Cyprus` capacity as an EU member-state to see how the EU works, to see how modern states work and not fears of the past and sins of the past weigh upon us, to see how we create the conditions and prospects to live peacefully to create a modern state away from dependencies so that the new generations could hope for prosperity and prospect,” he added.
“If this is understood by our compatriots and by Turkey, I believe Geneva could deliver,” he went on to say, noting however “if they insist on positions that seek to control the new state of affairs, the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus, then I regret to say the prospect which all look forward does not exist.”
Stressing that he does not wish to send pessimistic messages, Anastasiades added “I hope we are going (to Geneva) with the same goal to reunify our country, to rid it from any dependencies or troops to enable us to live peacefully, as we did for centuries in the past.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
Anastasiades and Akinci decided on December 1 to meet in Geneva on January 9, 2017.
CNA – CYPRUS/Nicosia 21/12/2016 18:33