The two leaders of Cyprus held on Friday a “brainstorming” session on the chapters of territory and security and guarantees, in the framework of the current phase of intensified settlement talks, under UN auspices, with President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades stating after the meeting that he heard from the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci “something different from what the 1960 Treaties provide for” on the matter of security.
This is the fourth consecutive meeting, out of seven that have been scheduled between the two leaders, with the aim of finding a settlement to reunify Cyprus, while all chapters are expected to be on the table. The final meeting is taking place on September 14.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace upon his return from the Nicosia buffer zone, the President announced that an additional meeting will take place on September 10th to discuss outstanding issues in depth.
Asked to comment on the essence of today`s meeting, the President cited the decision to refrain from public comments. “What is important while we engage in brainstorming, is that we exchange concerns, views and of course each side sets its own `red lines`” he noted.
On another, question, whether he heard anything new from his interlocutor today, the President replied: “Allow me not to answer. I heard something different from what the 1960 Treaties provide for, this does not mean, however, that we agree with it”.
He was also asked about a recent visit by the Turkish Foreign Minister in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus and whether this has led to the differentiation on the part of Akinci, with President Anastasiades pointing to his previous reply.
The discussion in the remaining meetings will extend on all issues, Anastasiades went on. He added that a possible meeting in New York between himself, Akinci and the UN Secretary General is a common meeting. “It is not a tripartite meeting, but something that happens quite often” between the UN chief and the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, he noted.
The President had announced recently that the minutes held during his meetings with Akinci will be open for access by the political parties. Asked on Friday about their response, the President said there was growing interest by some parties.
In reply to a statement by Akinci, President Anastasiades said finally that the Greek Cypriot side is handling the Cyprus question for 42 years, independent from electoral processes. “The Cyprus issue is not about elections, it is a matter of national interest” the President concluded.
Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May last year with a view to reunite the island, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974, under a federal roof.