The Prime Ministers of Turkey and Greece said on Wednesday that they see a window of opportunity for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Speaking during a joint press conference, after a three-hour meeting they had in Ankara, Ahmet Davutoglu and Alexis Tsipras stressed that Greece and Turkey will contribute positively to efforts for a solution.
“There is an opportunity right now. I do not want to be more optimistic than I should. I`m cautiously optimistic but we have to encourage towards a solution,” Tsipras said, adding that in order to be fair the solution must be based on UN decisions and be achieved within the European acquis framework, allowing the united federal Cyprus to safeguard the security of all its citizens, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and all the others.
Furtermore, he noted, that in order to be viable, the solution must be acceptable by everyone and especially by the people of Cyprus. It must be a solution without guarantors, within a framework of security that we all have the obligation to build together, he added.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that there is a window of opportunity and that both Greece and Turkey will contribute positively to efforts to solve the problem.
Asked if Greece will encourage Cyprus to unblock chapters 23 and 24 of Turkey`s accession negotiations, Tsipras said that Greece supports Turkey`s accession process because they believe that both Greece and Turkey will benefit from this course, as long as the necessary steps and conditions are fulfilled.
He noted that in this sense Greece is positive to the opening of chapters, adding, however, that the chapters should not close immediately. He noted that terms must be discussed and conditions must be fulfilled in order for both countries to benefit from Turkey`s accession to the EU.
Tsipras said that Cyprus is an EU country and has a role in EU decisions. The stance of Cyprus will be discussed during the next EU – Turkey meeting, he added.
Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974. A new round of UN-led talks resumed in May this year, aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.