According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 16.02.16), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that the much awaited settlement of the Cyprus problem could be reached this year.
Speaking during a reception last night, Akinci said that the Cyprus negotiations process is going through a critical phase. “The work we have been carrying out has raised our hopes for a settlement. Although we have yet to discuss and settle important issues such as territory, the guarantees and security, significant progress has been achieved on the 4 chapters”, he added.
Akinci also expressed the hope that a mutually acceptable solution, one which both communities could embrace and comfortably approve could be reached. “Our goals are in this direction because we do not want to see a repetition of the situation in 2004 where one community voted overwhelmingly in favour of a settlement while the other rejected it. We are working with all our strength to get two yes votes…it’s not easy. It’s a challenge but we shall continue to try”, he added.