Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (01.12.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said that if the two leaders do not agree in the Cyprus talks, it will not go to the people. However, the final decision will be made by the people. Akinci noted that the two leaders will see whether an agreement can be obtained, adding that this happened, then the political will of the “people” will be sought, but the final decision belongs to the “people”. Akinci also said that the Cyprus talks continue in good faith in close consultation with the Turkish government. He reiterated that Turkey is a guarantor country and attributes great significance and value to the Turkish Cypriots.
In a meeting with a delegation from Turkey’s Journalists Federation, who are currently in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, headed by Yilmaz Karaca, and a delegation from the Association of Journalists, headed by Resat Akar, Akinci stressed that in order for the Turkish Cypriot “people” to be able to approve any agreement, they will first look at security. Noting that every community wants to live free, Akinci argued that for this to happen, the federation should be also based on the equality of the two communities. He added: “For this reason, we will look first for our freedom and whether our freedom is guaranteed”. Akinci further said that the Turkish Cypriot “people” sees political equality as the third most important issue and added: “We will not be the community and the people, who will live with minority rights in a Greek Cypriot island. We are talking about a bi-zonal federal structure based on two founding states and about a new Cyprus in a federate structure where we will live in security as free communities, based on political equally.”
Akinci briefed the hosted journalists on the history of the Cyprus talks, and the stage they reached. Akinci said that an agreement can be found to form a bizonal, bicommunal federal structure, under the conditions created after 1974.
Referring to the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that they are carrying out the talks under six chapters. He added that a progress was achieved in some chapters. He further said that he does not consider everything to be rose-tinted, however, everything is not dark and gloomy either. He explained that there are difficulties and positive things. The two sides will be satisfied if they will manage to overcome these difficulties in an accepted framework. He explained that their effort, their condition, after all these years, is that the Turkish Cypriot “people” should take its place among international law.
Referring to the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, Akinci said that the natural resources instead of increasing tensions will lead to cooperation and progress relations between Turkey, Israel- Egypt and the European Union. Akinci added that the transportation of natural gas through Cyprus to Turkey will be the most sensible and cost efficient thing to do.
Akinci also said that If an agreement is reached in Cyprus then the water that comes from Turkey to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus can also be shared with Greek Cypriots and expressed the hope that positive developments will continue to take place during the Cyprus negotiations process.
Akinci: We will not be the community living with minority rights in a Greek Cypriot island
