Akinci argues that Turkey has changed its position that the division is the solution in Cyprus

Akinci argues that in the last decade Turkey has changed its position that the division is the solution in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (14.04.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has argued that in the past Turkey had been describing the division of Cyprus as a solution to the Cyprus problem, but during the last decade this has changed. Replying to a question yesterday by German parliamentarians at the German Federal Parliament’s Committee on European Relations, Akinci alleged that Turkey understood that the division cannot be a solution and offers sincere support to the Cyprus negotiations.
“Support to the negotiating process came from Turkey and in fact it is the first time that Turkey’s leaders instead of accusing the one of the sides praised the Greek Cypriot leader by saying that both leaders want a solution”, argued Akinci claiming that this is something new and wishing for this situation to continue.
Noting that he does not think that the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army will take place without finding a solution, Akinci said that in case of a solution Turkey will withdraw its army according to the agreement. Alleging that Turkey has nothing to gain from the non-solution, Akinci argued that “Turkey will also have benefits from a solution in Cyprus”.
He also expressed the view that the “walls which exist in the heads” should be demolished in order for a solution to be achieved in Cyprus. He noted: “27 years ago you could demolish the wall. We could open some holes in the wall in Nicosia. In 2004 we said yes in the referendum, but we could not demolish the wall because two yes votes were needed. We need something for this and what we need is to demolish the walls in the heads. If we demolish the walls in the heads it will be easier to demolish the physical walls”.
He said that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots have been raised to be enemies to each other and added that from the very first day of his “election” he has been saying that “we should see each other as partners not enemies”. Noting that the culture of peace should be developed in the island, Akinci said that in order to achieve this, the leaders decided the establishment of a “cultural committee” and the sides have abandoned the “mutual blame game” that existed in the past.
Pointing out that the education should also be examined, Akinci said that a group of members of ELAM extreme right-wing organization had attacked some Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area of the island and added that students were participating in this attacks which had been incited by some teachers.
Referring to the hydrocarbon resources discovered in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Akinci argued that these “could start a new source of trouble, new tensions or a new cooperation. I and my community prefer to develop new cooperation”. He reiterated that the relations between Turkey and Israel are being improved and in case the Cyprus problem is solved the natural gas could be transferred to Europe through Turkey. He also expressed the belief that the electricity network and the water transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of the island “could open big horizons”.
Replying to a question regarding the adoption of Turkey’s judiciary system in the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci said that this is out of the question and that what the Turkish Cypriots could look for on this issue are the European norms.
Referring to the Greek Cypriot political parties, Akinci said that the two big Greek Cypriot parties, main opposition AKEL and ruling DISY support the solution, but the Social Democrat EDEK party is exhibiting a stance which is allegedly not in harmony with social democracy and has taken out the bi-communal, bi-zonal solution from its program.
Referring to the Organization for the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Akinci said that the Turkish Cypriots have an observer status in this organization and this bears a symbolic meaning for the Turkish Cypriot community.
Touching on the issue of guarantees, Akinci argued that a formula which will preserve Turkey’s guarantees and will not be a threat for the Greek Cypriot side should be found.
Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Halki Sesin newspaper (14.04.16), Achim Barchmann, Vice President of the German Parliament’s Committee for Relations with the European Parliament, alleged that the big part of the opponents for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem is in ‘south Cyprus’, as the government-controlled area of the island is described. He expressed the belief that they could contribute in the reunification of the island and added that the Group will visit Cyprus in June.