Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (07.12.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that yesterday he discussed the Cyprus negotiations with Martin Schultz, Speaker of the European Parliament. In statements after their meeting, Akinci described next January as a “period of extremely vital importance” for the future of Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot “people” and especially the young generations. He said: “We have a road map now. We are meeting on 9 January in Geneva. After discussions that will last for three days, we are moving to a five-party conference, in which Turkey, Greece and Britain will participate”. Noting that during his meeting with Schultz they discussed “how important this road map is” and the point we have reached, Akinci added:
“We have once more explained the consistent determination of the Turkish Cypriots and our legitimate line which fully defends the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people who want a solution, but at the same time does not ignore the rights of the other community, with which we will establish a partnership. We fully explained that our equality, freedom and security are indispensable elements, but we want them for the other community as well, not only for ourselves”.
Akinci argued that there was great understanding” from the EU side and that the Turkish Cypriots’ views and positions are much more understandable. Referring to the negotiating process, which will take place in January 2017, Akinci said he would try to administrate it together with the Turkish Cypriot political leadership and Turkey, as he has always done.
Alleging that the Greek Cypriot officials should show empathy and share the same feelings and views, Akinci claimed that they and especially President Anastasiades should also adopt the same approach and “we should jointly reach a happy result to which everybody in Cyprus will be able to easily say yes in the referendum”.
Noting that yesterday he had also met with Federica Mogherini, EU’s High Representative Responsible for Foreign Affairs and Security Policies, Akinci said that today he will meet with Jean-Claude Junker, President of the EU Commission.
Reiterating the view that there are some issues on which the EU should fulfil its responsibilities in the Cyprus problem, Akinci argued that one of these issues is the preparation of the Turkish Cypriot community and its institutions for the EU. He noted that the need for financial support to the solution also exists and that “we should expect a serious financial support from the EU”. “This is something we were told last year”, he said adding that he would remind Junker of his statement that “we will not disappear when you need us”.
