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President of Cyprus replies to Akinci

14/11/2019 16:27

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades said on Thursday that Turkish Cypriot insistence on prerogatives that exist in the constitution of no UN or EU member state is a “democratic paradox” and will not lead to a functioning or viable Cyprus solution.

Replying to Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, President Anastasiades said that he would be happy if the Turkish Cypriot side was not only constructive when it comes to defending its “legal rights” but also if it showed mutual respect for the legal rights of the Greek Cypriot community, particularly those that have been violated as a result of the 1974 illegal invasion and continuous occupation of the island.
 
In the last 45 years, the Greek Cypriot side has proven its sincere political will, though historic compromises, in order to safeguard the legal rights of both communities, the President went on.
 
This however does not mean that by invoking the legal rights of the Turkish Cypriot community, we can have unprecedented circumstances of guardianship and provisions alien to international law, which will allow one community to dominate the other, he added.
 
“We have proven that by accepting political equality, we respect the concerns of the Turkish Cypriot community” the President said, according to an announcement by the Presidency of the Republic.
 
Moreover, the President reiterated in the strongest terms his determination ahead of the meeting in Berlin with the UN Secretary-General, underlining his political will to be “absolutely positive” about the terms of reference, in line with the understanding reached during his August 9 meeting with Akinci.

Commenting on Akinci’s statements on energy issues, President Anastasiades said that the Republic of Cyprus and its sovereign rights are non-negotiable. He also called on Akinci to respect past convergencies reached by ex Cyprus President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, which have been reconfirmed, and recalled his counterproposal on the matter which fully secures the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community.
 
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. 
 
Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Cyprus, Jane Holl Lute is expected in Cyprus to prepare the meeting of the leaders with Guterres, taking place on November 25, in Berlin.