Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (22.07.15), under the title “The communities are tired of the efforts for a solution”, reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said both communities in the island, especially the Turkish Cypriots have been tired of the pursuit for a Cyprus settlement and added that this may be the last opportunity for finding a solution.
Briefing the foreign journalists, who are currently in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to attend the celebrations of the 41st anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus, on the ongoing negotiation process, Akinci said that although there are a lot to be discussed in the negotiations in order to reach a solution, in case of continuing quickly the current talks, they may reach a solution within months.
Noting that the Turkish Cypriots do not want a solution, which will be jeopardized in time and sue each other in international courts, Akinci said: “We do not want a solution against the human rights. This agreement should be harmonious with the EU acquis and the human rights. In the agreement to be reached with the Greek Cypriots, every community will dominate in its region and will be self-administered. We want to see that these principles will be permanent. In other words, a balance should be formed between the bi-zonal bi-community and the EU principles”.
Noting that the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots had to move en masse from their places in 1974 (translator’s note: due to the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974), Akinci claimed that they have created new lives after 41 years. Akinci explained that after the Cyprus settlement, the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will be able to reside in the place they want under certain conditions. He also said that the Greek Cypriots, who will settle in the North and the Turkish Cypriots, who will settle in the South, will have political rights and will be able to participate in the local elections or the EU elections. However, Akinci explained that in case they are residents of the other side, they will be able to be candidates for the House of Representatives, but in the Senate, there will have to be equal number of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots and added: “For this reason, the political equality should be protected”.
Noting that guarantor countries’ support for the Cyprus settlement is important, Akinci claimed that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s messages at the celebrations of the 41st anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus were important.
Replying to a question what will be the name of the country after the agreement, Akinci said that the name, which is at the agenda, is United Cyprus Federation, and added that the context of the agreement is more important than the name. Akinci also said that he thinks that in case of not finding a solution, then the young generations will forget the model of reunification of the island and will focus on the model of two separate states.
Akinci said that all the issues in relation to the guarantors and the territorial issues were discussed, except of the names and the quotas/percentages.
Asked about the NAVTEX, Akinci said that they have reached a mutual understanding with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades on the issue that it will not create any more problems. He added that the natural gas found around Cyprus should be used as a tool to assist the solution. Recalling the views of specialists, Akinci claimed that the best method to transfer the natural gas to Europe is through Turkey. Akinci also said: “We do not expect any new Navtex or exploration in the coming months”.
Referring to the Federal Police, Akinci said that the ratio will be 50-50 or 40-60, but they have not reached any agreement with the Greek Cypriot side on the issue of the army. He added that an army may even not exist.
Noting that they should examine the collapse of the Republic of Cyprus in1963 in order to understand the Cyprus problem, Akinci said that the main target of the Greek Cypriots in that period was the unification with Greece. However, he said that he believes that this threat does not currently continue.
Asked to comment on Russia’s stance regarding the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that Russia can play and should play an important role. He added that during a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Cyprus, he gave his support at the efforts for a Cyprus settlement.
