Akinci: “Everyone wants the year 2016 to be a year of new beginning for Cyprus”
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 09.01.16), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, within the framework of ‘Cooperation and Dialogue meetings’, met with the village’s’ headmen in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on Saturday. He informed them regarding the latest phase reached on the Cyprus issue and listened to their views.
Making a statement prior to the meeting, Akinci noted that the Cyprus issue has been continuing for over half a century now and added that the issue has been discussed thoroughly. “What’s important is to reach an agreement that is accepted by the two sides”, said Akinci and added that it is their aim to achieve two “yes” at a possible referendum.
“For a solution we need mutual understanding, we need to understand one another”, said Akinci and added that they are working to reach an agreement where both peoples on the island are equal, living in security and peace. He said that they are constantly meeting with officials from Turkey, the parliament, government, opposition, civil society organisations and municipalities in order to find the criteria for the solution.
Reiterating his belief that that they will shape the future together, Akinci said that he will continue to hold meetings regarding the progress that is being made at the Cyprus negotiations. “We must create a solution by listening to one another. We aim for the year 2016 to be a year of a solution. If we know what is possible and what is not we can reach our aim more easily”, Akinci added.
Meanwhile, the “Chamber of Electrical Engineers” held its New Year’s reception on Friday night and Akinci, self-styled parliamentary speaker Sibel Siber, self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu and a variety of politicians took part in the event.
Speaking at the reception, Akinci said that they are trying their best to establish peace on the island through cooperation and expressed his belief that the “Chamber of Electrical Engineers” and the “Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Architects and Engineers” as always, will continue to contribute to the solution process on the island.
Noting that everyone wants the year 2016 to be a year of new beginnings for Cyprus, Akinci said: “I hope just like the Turkish Cypriot ‘people’, the Greek Cypriot ‘people’ will also have the same desires and that with the same feelings we will both achieve a solution and peace on the island”.