Left-wing party AKEL and Turkish Cypriot party “New Cyprus” have expressed their concern over the fact that the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot side have not yet agreed on a joint communiqué that will pave the way for the resumption of talks on the Cyprus problem.
Delegations of the two parties met on Friday at AKEL offices here. In statements to the press AKEL General Secretary Antros Kyprianou said the they both appeal to the leaders of the two communities, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, and that he personally appeals to the Turkish Cypriot leader, to agree on a joint communiqué that will include a clear reference on a single sovereignty, a single personality and a single citizenship. He added that “these were included in the two joint communiqués agreed in 2008 between Christofias and Talat (who were then leaders of the two communities) and that nothing less must be included now.” He also noted that they discuss problems which the Turkish Cypriots face.
On his part, leader of “New Cyprus” party Murat Kanatli said that they informed AKEL about the demographic changes and the changes in the economy of the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, imposed by Turkey, stressing the need for a settlement of the Cyprus problem the soonest.
He also underlined the importance of Confidence Building Measures (CBM), and referred more specifically to the issue of the opening of the fenced-off town of Varosha to its legal residents, as well as to the opening of new check-points.
Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion in the summer of 1974. Around 37% of Cyprus’ territory is under Turkish occupation.
The two communities have been meeting with the UN the past few weeks in an effort to agree on a joint declaration for the resumption of talks. In a written statement on Thursday evening Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said that Anastasiades took the initiative to invite Eroglu for an informal meeting on November 25, with the aim to conclude on a joint statement that will pave the way for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Varosha, is the fenced off section of the occupied town of Famagusta, called also ‘ghost town’. Varosha – remains to this day deserted, abandoned to the elements. Efforts over the years for the legitimate citizens of Famagusta to return to the city have met the refusal of the Turkish side, despite numerous decisions and resolutions by the UN, EU and other international institutions. A new effort has been launched by President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, who submitted a proposal on the return of Varosha and the use of its port by the Turkish Cypriots for exports to EU countries.