President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades described as positive the result of his meetings in the US.
Speaking to reporters after addressing the UN General Assembly and prior to his departure from the US, Anastasiades said Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides will hold over 40 meetings with his counterparts as he is staying in New York until the 3rd of October.
The President met with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US Vice President Joe Biden, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrof, US Secretary of State John Kerry, India`s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Egypt`s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Noble`s Chief Executive Officer, Dave L. Stover, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, while he had a working lunch with the five representatives of the permanent Members of the Security Council and a working breakfast with the presidency of the Jewish-American committee.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, Anastasiades said that in all his meetings, and especially with the SG, the US Vice President, the Greek Premier and the foreign ministers of Russia and the US, there was an exchange of views on the current phase of the negotiations. He stressed the need for all interested parties to take specific measures towards Turkey and contribute effectively to the effort underway.
The President said his meetings, which he described as “very important”, have given him the opportunity to clarify, at the highest possible level, the issues which concern the substance, such as the need to secure the four fundamental freedoms, the compatibility of the Cyprus issue with the acqui and the fact that there cannot be a solution with foreign troops and guarantees.
President Anastasiades said that with all his interlocutors they came to the conclusion that the next months will be critical both at the negotiating table and the elections in Turkey, “enabling us to draw safer conclusions on the prospects of the procedure underway”.
Regarding his meetings with Biden and Kerry, President Anastasiades said the US acknowledge the stabilizing role of the Republic of Cyprus in the region and its contribution in fighting terrorism and creating conditions of security in the region.
Anastasiades said they also discussed issues pertaining to the country’s energy plans and how more prospects for the benefit of the region and Europe can be achieved through cooperation and agreements with other countries in the region.
He said Kerry confirmed his interest to visit Cyprus before the end of the year.
Anastasiades also referred to the brief conversation he had with US President Barack Obama where the latter exhibited his interest and satisfaction at the initiative underway to solve the Cyprus issue. “He is completely informed on what is going on and expressed his complete support to the ongoing negotiations”, the President remarked.
Regarding his meeting with Lavrov, Anastasiades said it was very productive and Lavrov referred to bilateral relations and the need to strengthen them through specific actions.
Anastasiades said the Russian FM might possibly visit Cyprus to honour the 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Moscow, adding they discussed energy issues and economic relations with Lavrov talking about Russian investments on the island.
Regarding his meeting with el-Sisi, Anastasiades said they exchanged views on the recent ENI findings within the Egyptian EEZ, stressing that they upgrade the eastern Mediterranean and making cooperation between Cyprus and Egypt in the energy field more imperative.
“Our common conviction is that the dialogue between the two countries is to sell the Cyprus natural gas to Egypt the soonest possible”, said Anastasiades, adding that el-Sisi expressed his satisfaction with Cyprus` initiative within the EU for the Middle East which resulted with European Council president Donald Tusk visiting the region.
They agreed to hold a new tri-partite meeting between Cyprus, Egypt and Greece in the Greek capital at a later stage.
During his meeting with Mahmoud Abbas, Anastasiades said they exchanged views on the situation in the region and the former thanked the President for Cyprus` interest on the Palestinian problem and to be invited to the European Council to present the Palestinian peoples` position on the peace process.
Anastasiades confirmed he will visit Palestine on 13 November after his trip to Jordan.
The President also described as excellent his meeting with India`s Prime Minister and the President will visit India to increase the economic and political relations and see how Cyprus can play a role in the dialogue between India and the EU.
For his meeting with Ban Ki-moon, Anastasiades said that they discussed regional issues and sustainable development which is a priority for this year`s general assembly while the discussion focused on Cyprus.
Regarding his meeting with Stover, Anastasiades said there was a constructive discussion on energy developments in the eastern Mediterranean and the company’s plans.
This is the conclusion from all his contacts in the US, “that we need to work together with neighbouring states to increase the possible benefits and further strengthen relations”.
He also referred to his meeting with Archbishop Demetrios and members of the Cyprus diaspora both in Chicago and New York and thanked them for their contribution and efforts to end the Turkish occupation and reunification of Cyprus.
Answering questions, the President said that his efforts concentrate on finding a solution to the Cyprus issue and creating a modern, European state which will secure the prospects and future of the island.
He said he hoped this was Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci`s conviction.
President Anastasiades underlined the role that the US can play towards a solution.
He also said that there are efforts by many interested parties to draw up reports on the economic aspects of the Cyprus issue and to establish a fund that will deal with the remedies offered to owners of properties in the Turkish occupied north.
The remedies, said the President, include full restitution, partial restitution, alternative restitution, exchange of properties and compensation. For this reason, he added, the creation of a fund that will address these issues is of utmost importance and during his meetings with American officials he stressed the need to take this issue into consideration.
Anastasiades said the UN concentrate their attention on reports by the IMF and the World Bank.
Answering a question whether there is a deadline for the Cyprus talks, he said he was very clear about it and the issue was not tabled. “It was one of the issues I underlined, citing the bad examples of the past. We have said from the beginning that tight deadlines or arbitration are not allowed. We stand firm on this”, the President stressed.
On the issue of guarantees, President Anastasiades said that anachronistic methods such as guarantor powers which determine the independence and territorial integrity of a country which is a member of the European Union, should not be accepted.
He said his effort and “I hope Mustafa Akinci believes so too, is to find a solution that responds to the expectations, concerns and the creation of a modern European state that secures the prospect and future of the island`s citizens”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied the island`s northern third.