Cyprus update: Cyprus leaders outlines economic benefits of a solution

Cyprus: Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, on Monday said reunification of the divided island could see Cyprus established as one of the European Union’s most stable economies in the region, and with access to the Turkish market.
This was said during an event organized by the Cyprus Academic Dialogue (CAD), tagged “Life in a federal Cyprus”, which took place at a restaurant in the Nicosia buffer zone with president Nicos Anastasiades, along with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci as key speakers.
President Anastasiades demonstrated his wish for the negotiating process to reach a solution soon and that the objective was to arrive at an agreement within 2016.

“I believe that both Mustafa and I not only possess the political courage, resolve and genuine desire to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem, but I do believe that we also share the same approach and vision as regards presenting to the people a viable, lasting and functional settlement,”

He added that “the range of benefits the lives of the people of Cyprus in a reunited federal Cyprus”, would be the unrestricted freedom of movement, the right to acquire property and establish themselves anywhere in Cyprus, as well as work or engage in economic activity throughout the island.

“By reuniting our country, its people, institutions and the economy and ending the uncertainty related with the status quo, Cyprus has the potential to establish itself as one of the EU’s most stable and predictable economies in our volatile region, ensuring long-term prosperity,” Anastasiades said.

This would mean the “significant improvement of the investment climate and an increased attraction of big foreign investments; reaching out to currently unexploited markets across the world, including, of course, the Turkish one,” the president said.

In addition, it would also lead to stimulating various economic sectors such as the construction and real estate industry, or enhancing the potential of other ones, like tourism, shipping, retail and trade sectors.

He said that the discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in Eastern Mediterranean had the potential to create even further synergies and alliances for broader cooperation between other countries.

“Through removing all the political barriers that prevent the full exploitation of our unique geographical position, we will be able to utilise our full potential to transforming Cyprus into a model-country of reliability, stability and security and a shining example of the ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic cooperation between Christian and Muslim communities,” Anastasiades said.

On Akinci's part, he said that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should view one another, not as enemies, but as future partners.

Akinci also said that the solution should be on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, political equality and according to the Joint Declaration of February 2014.

He also said he was in favour of natural gas and electricity transportation via Turkey. The natural gas issue is very important, Akinci said, and Turkey is the most economic and reasonable solution for the transfer to the EU of existing and future energy resources by Cyprus, in combination with natural resources of other countries in the region, especially Israel. Now is the time, he said, to implement a partnership that will bring many benefits and opportunities.

 Akinci said it would mean the removal of political and economic uncertainty, while investments will increase, especially in construction and tourism. In addition, he said, water from Turkey would open the way to great potential for the agricultural sector, while there will be no compulsory military service.

A reunited Cyprus would also be in position to absorb many European funds for infrastructure, he said, while imports and exports would increase as markets would be opened up to Turkish Cypriots. Greek Cypriots, he said, would have access to Turkey with its population of 78 million.

Source: CyprusMail