Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (05.05.15) reports that the newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in his first meeting yesterday with the UNSG Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide said that he wants the resumption of a new, determined process, adding that “an important opportunity has arisen”.
Speaking in a joint press conference after his meeting with Eide, Akinci said that an opportunity which was lost 10 years ago during the EU process is captured again. He also said that with his election, a new positive atmosphere has been created within the Turkish Cypriot community, the Greek Cypriot one as well as within the international community.
Eide also said that the talks are representing the best opportunity after 10 years for resolving the Cyprus problem and added: “I feel a new positive air. I believe that this process will reach a real solution”. He noted that he had a rather constructed meeting with Akinci.
Akinci said that the Cyprus talks will resume after the meeting with Cyprus President Anastasiades on Monday night and they will discuss with Eide how they can push forward the new process.
Akinci said that he had a beneficial meeting with Eide, adding that it was not possible to enter in details in their first meeting, but they discussed how the process can be progressed. He also said that he hopes to resume a positive and constructive process for the future of both sides in Cyprus.
Noting that he will visit Ankara on May 6, Akinci said that it will be very beneficial for them to talk with the Turkish officials, meaning that the works to be carried out in the upcoming process will be in a close cooperation and consultation. In this sense, they will hold the visit on Wednesday, Akinci added.
Akinci said that he will hold a second meeting with Eide on Friday, May 8.
Eide, for his part, said that the UN, who intends to go until the end of this process, has thought all the dimensions of the problem.
Noting that they will inform the concerned sides on their views particularly on the guarantor ship issue, Eide said: “As I said, this is a Cypriot process. However, some issues regarding the guarantors should also be included in this process.”
Eide said that he will announce the date of the resumption of the Cyprus talks, after the meeting with both leaders on May 11. He repeated that the owners of this process are the Cypriots.
He further said that Turkey and Turkish officials share the view that a Cyprus settlement will be also for their benefit.