Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (05.11.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that November and December will be critical from the point of view of seeing on which of the rest of the chapters of the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem agreement could be reached.
In statements yesterday during several meetings, Akinci argued that the political equality is one of the essential elements for the Turkish Cypriots and added: “It is the time now to face the realities. The status quo cannot continue any more. It cannot be continued. We have the right to take the place we deserve in the international community”.
Replying to the criticism that he does not respond to the attacks allegedly made against him in the Greek Cypriot press, Akinci said that “we have not entered into this process for the game of blaming each other”.
“The months of November and December will be very critical. We will see what kind of agreement we will secure on the chapters that have been left”, he noted adding that within ten days the Foreign Ministers of three important countries such as the USA, the UK and Germany will visit the island, something that shows the importance attached to Cyprus. Akinci said also that the AK Party leader, Ahmet Davutoglu will pay his first visit abroad to the occupied area of Cyprus as soon as he establishes his new cabinet.
Akinci noted that the issues of political equality, bi-zonality and security are on the top of the “indispensable essential issues” and argued that if there is no justice it will not be possible for the agreement to function.
“Equality, security and freedom are very important concepts”, he argued adding that these should be clarified and time should be given to the people to find out how everything will happen.
Underlining the importance of reaching a solution the soonest, Akinci described as “satisfactory” the fact that President Anastasiades had made a statement in this direction the day before yesterday.
Akinci said that the signature of the leaders will not be sufficient for the solution and wished for the leaders coming to the point of signing an agreement. He further underlined that “the peoples will decide”. Akinci further noted that they are not seeking for a “no matter what solution”, but a solution which will safeguard equality, freedom and security.
He also argued that they are cooperating with Turkey on every issue and described Turkey as an important country not only for the Turkish Cypriots, but for the area as well and alleged that Turkey also wishes a solution in Cyprus.
