According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.07.14), the Turkish Cypriot side has submitted a five-step road map on future negotiations for the Greek Cypriot side to evaluate, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said on Monday.
The two-and-a-half hour meeting held with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades and Dervis Eroglu was conducted in a “constructive and sincere manner,” according to UN chief’s special representative in Cyprus, Lisa Buttenheim.
“We answered the Greek Cypriot’s offers on Confidence Building Measures (CBM) and submitted a five-step road map to Anastasiades”, Eroglu said. A “transition period” as well as the opening of three crossing-points in Lefkosia are on the agenda for discussion.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 07.07.14) reported that both sides submitted responses to CBM proposals during the meeting said Eroglu.
Speaking after the leaders meeting, Eroglu added that the two sides will be evaluating CBMs and the negotiators will convey both side’s opinion on these issues during their next meeting, which will take place on the 24th of July.
Replying to a question regarding the possibility of a framework agreement, Eroglu said: “Framework agreement is not on either side’s agenda. Our aim is to put the agreement to public vote at the end of the negotiation process”.
Answering another question regarding the opening of new check-points, Eroglu said: “During our talks with Mr Christofias, we proposed a check-point to be opened in Aplici/Lefka when Limnitis check-point was opened. Our proposal was well received at the beginning, although the committees worked on the opening of the Limnitis check-point, the Lefka check-point remained closed”. Eroglu said that the opening of a new check-point in Nicosia is on the agenda but before the decision, an assessment should be conducted and a consultation with the military should take place too.
According to Eroglu, the opening of each check-point requires new staff from “police force and customs”, which also is a “lengthy” process.
“Opening of new check-points in Nicosia is currently on the agenda. Opening of Lefka check-point simultaneously with a new check-point in Nicosia would be beneficial for the Greek Cypriot community. Greek Cypriots petitioned to their government for opening of Lefka check-point. We both agreed to shift the time for evaluation of this possibility to an earlier date”, Eroglu claimed.
