The slowing down of progress observed in the negotiating table is due to the fact that the talks on the various chapters are near conclusion, Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said on Friday.
In statements to the press after a sculpture unveiling ceremony, by Bulgarian Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov, Kasoulides stressed that the illegal mass granting of `nationality` status in the occupied areas will affect the Cyprus reunification process since it violates the mutual understanding reached between both sides on the ratio 1 to 4 as regards the composition of the population.
“We have repeatedly said that in recent months there has been a slow down in the progress observed,” he said, adding that “this is not something strange.”
He explained that “significant progress was achieved in the beginning”, adding that “now, as the various chapters approach their conclusion, things become more difficult and the matters still to be resolved are those most thorny.”
Kasoulides recalled that after the last two meeting Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades had with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Anastasiades had said progress had been made. Progress, he added, “over the work now underway, that is to to say of turning matters on which mutual understanding has been achieved to matters where convergence has been achieved.”
This is why, the Cypriot FM noted, I explained that there is nothing new which would necessitate convening the National Council (the President`s top advisory body comprised of all parliamentary party leaders) now during the election campaign, since matters on which mutual understanding had been achieved at least are known. He added that President Anastasiades has referred to most of them during his address before the House of Representatives plenary.
He dismissed however a journalist`s comment that the government feels that the parliamentary elections due to take place on May 22 affect the negotiating process.
“The negotiations for the Cyprus issue are affected by official leaks, by the violation of the confidentiality of documents,” he replied.
Replying to a question he pointed out that negotiations have been affected by the leaks and gave the example of a delay in the talks on territory because the Turkish side is afraid of potential leaks.
Asked whether talks on the other two chapters will begin soon he replied positively but added that he cannot say specifically when this will happen.
He said that the four chapters which are now been discussed will not be fully concluded but certain matters will be discussed later together with the other two chapters, that is to say territory and security.
Replying to a question on the so called “naturalisations” granted to illegal Turkish settlers in the occupied areas, Kasoulides said the matter “worries us”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks resumed last May aiming to reunify the island under a federal roof.
