Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.08.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci has argued that if a referendum on the solution of the Cyprus problem is not held until the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus which will be held in May 2016, the solution will be prolonged.
Speaking yesterday at a press conference on the occasion of the completion of 100 days since his election, Akinci said that on the property issue the rights of the user of the property have been recognized as the ones of the owner of the property and no one should be worried on this issue.
Akinci pointed out that they have started negotiating with President Anastasiades with the aim of a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution as it is noted in the joint declaration of 11 February 2014. He said that they met seven times with President Anastasiades and added that the negotiators and the technical committees also held discussions on the property and EU chapters. “I can say that there is progress on the issue of Governance and Power Sharing”, he noted explaining that the negotiators determined the issues on which agreement has been reached and the points of disagreement.
Referring to the property issue, Akinci argued that in spite of the fact that no names of villages, maps and percentages have been discussed in the negotiations, the Greek Cypriot press referred to names of villages [to be returned under Greek Cypriot administration]. He noted: “The map, the percentage of the territory and names of villages were not discussed until now. We all know what kind of difficulties these will cause in case they are negotiated before their time comes”.
Noting that the guarantees are one of the six chapters in the negotiations, Akinci said that the treaties of guarantees are international agreements and this is an issue which concerns five parties. He added that this is an issue which will be discussed of course when “the time and place comes”.
Referring to the timetable for reaching a solution, he said that he has no “magic wand”, but determination and will exist. Arguing that a “difference is observed in the Greek Cypriot side”, Akinci reiterated the view that if this determination continues, solution could be reached within months, not years. Recalling that parliamentary elections will be held in the Republic of Cyprus in May 2016, Akinci argued: “If we do not achieve any serious development until May, a serious development that will lead us to a result, this issue will prolonged”.
Pointing out that the leaders will be meeting on the 1st and 14th of September and the negotiators will continue their intensive meetings in August as well, Akinci said that in September they will meet with the UN Secretary – General in New York and added: “I can predict that October, November and December could be extremely important. Therefore, a much more evident and clear picture will come up as to where we are heading to”.
Referring to the Cypriot natural gas, Akinci argued that the reserves found until now are not sufficient and could meet the needs of the island only for 120 years, but this is a resource found only in one parcel of the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Akinci argued that in case more reserves are found, the most rational way to export them is through Turkey. He further alleged that the water which will be brought from turkey to the occupied area of the island is an incentive for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Akinci referred also to the confidence building measures decided by the leaders and said that the political decision was taken on the opening of the crossing points in Deryneia and Apliki areas, but their opening might take long because various works are needed to be done. Referring to the registration of halloumi/hellim cheese, Akinci said that the procedure will be probably completed within six months.
Touching on his visits abroad, Akinci alleged that in Turkey he was received “with a will for an early solution” and in Brussels he had held high level meetings in June in spite of the Greek crisis [which was the main issue on the agenda].
Replying to questions, Akinci said that there is no need for the “citizens” to be concerned about the property issue and added that their effort is not to victimize the citizens, but to make them happy. He argued that the investments in the occupied area of Cyprus must continue and that the “state of the TRNC” backs the “title deeds” it has granted [Translator’s note: for the occupied Greek Cypriot properties]. “After the determination of the criteria on the property issue, the problem will be solved with compensations to a great extent and no one will be victimized”, he claimed.
Akinci argued that Turkey supports the negotiations and added that they will not submit to the [approval of the] people an agreement which does not satisfy them. He added that he wishes an agreement which will be approved by the majority of the “people”, which will not be questioned by anyone and which will include the international law. “We want to give our people sufficient time and not to go to the ballot box without being informed”, he said.
Asked what their sine qua non is on the issue of guarantees and security, Akinci said that in order for the issue of guarantees to be discussed, the structure which will be guaranteed should be formed first. He noted that the security and freedom of the people are the most important issues for the Turkish Cypriots. He noted that the guarantees and the territory will be discussed at the last stage of the negotiations.
Akinci said that as he knows there is no demand of President Anastasiades to meet with Erdogan, but in case he [Akinci] meets with the Greek Prime Minister he will have no objection for President Anastasiades’ meeting Erdogan.
Asked to comment on the concerns of the foreigners who have properties in the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci claimed that people have “title deeds” and will continue living in “their houses”, but Turkey paid compensations to the property owners, cases were taken to the European Court of Human Rights and a property compensation commission was established afterwards in the occupied area. Akinci said that the individuals have property rights, but both the “old owner” and its “user for 41 years” have rights on the property. He argued that the property compensation commission has been accepted and therefore there will be no return to the property “no matter what”, but the right of compensation will also exist.
Referring to the drillings for natural gas in Cyprus’ EEZ, Akinci expressed the belief that there will be no “new developments” on this issue and added that President Anastasiades should know that any new development on this issue will harm the negotiations.
Akinci said that bi-zonality is a pre-condition for the Turkish Cypriot “people” and that is why they want permanent derogations from the EU acquis communautaire and the agreement to become EU’s primary law.
Referring to the issue of the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to its legal owners, Akinci said that no such issue was discussed at the negotiating table, no such demand was submitted at the table and they are focused on the comprehensive solution.
Akinci sets a timetable for the Cyprus negotiations
