Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said that there is determination between the two sides in the ongoing peace talks for a political settlement to address existing differences and problems.
In remarks after Friday`s meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Anastasiades told reporters that the climate was positive during the discussions at the UN-brokered negotiations.
The next leaders` meeting will be held on May 27 and in the meantime, the negotiators of the two sides will conduct intensive discussions throughout May, the President announced.
Anastasiades said “there is a positive climate and determination to tackle the existing differences and difficulties in a way that, while addressing the concerns of each community, the rights of the other will not be affected”.
Asked if the positive climate implies more common understanding or convergences, the President said efforts are gearing towards achieving “final and conclusive convergences that will lead us to an overall solution of the Cyprus issue within this year”.
President Anastasiades also said that the situation in Turkey was discussed during today`s meeting. “We certainly expressed some concern but we have been assured that Turkey`s intention to contribute to a Cyprus solution will not change,” he noted.
Asked how the government will handle the liberalization of visa requirements for Turkish nationals to the EU, the President replied “with the right way and by securing the interests of the Republic of Cyprus”.
“We all have to understand that since we do not have the decisive role (in the decision making process) and since the decision will be taken by a qualified majority, we shall seek to set out such conditions that will ensure the suspension of the implementation of any decisions taken, should whatever is agreed be violated,” the President stressed.
He clarified that no Turkish national who arrives on the island through the Turkish occupied northern areas of the Republic will be allowed to enter the southern government controlled part of Cyprus, based on the liberalization of visas.
“We will take all measures, with its partners, to secure in the best possible way, the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, whatever the recommendations of the Commission may be” he added.
UN-led peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement to reunite Cyprus under a federal roof. The country has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.