Cyprus update: Cyprus President, Anastasiades confident of progress in reunification talks in the coming months

Cyprus: Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades speaking at the EU heads of mission lunch, on Thursday said, he is assured quick progress could be attained in the reunification talks in the coming months and is confident that a solution could be attained this year under certain conditions.

 “I remain optimistic that a settlement in 2016 is still possible if both sides engage with seriousness, discussing and submitting constructive proposals on all pending issues, in a spirit of mutual respect and through avoiding actions that jeopardise the trust between the two sides and the good climate in the negotiations,” he said.

Nicos Anastasiades stressed the basis of a solution and that it must fully be in line with the EU’s acquis, values, and principles.

“In this respect and following yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, my dearest friend Mustafa Akinci, and the methodology that has been agreed for our future meetings, I am confident that more rapid progress can be achieved in the coming months.”

He said progress had been made in aspects of the chapters of governance, economy, European Union, and property.

“However, fundamental differences still persist which relate to the prolongation of the unacceptable long-standing status quo as well as on different perceptions by the two sides on some aspects of the federal nature of united Cyprus.”

Substantive talks on the chapters of territory, security, and guarantees have yet to take place, he added.

On Wednesday, the two leaders decided to intensify efforts in their talks with double session meetings every week beginning on June 17.
Nine thematic clusters, was created by the leaders, which will be discussed, one at a time, during the meetings.

“Therefore, our discussions will be targeted, results-oriented and practical rather than merely theoretical,” Anastasiades said.

“I am fully aware of the weight of history on my shoulders to strive to reunite the country and its people, creating the most credible prospects for prosperity for Greek and Turkish Cypriots in a modern European country,” he added, asking the international community to lend a helping hand.

“This support encompasses conveying the message to Turkey that it needs to grasp the opportunity offered by the current juncture in the negotiations, acknowledge its own historic responsibility and contribute concretely to the process.”

Source: CyprusMail