You are here

President Anastasiades ready to continue Cyprus talks

03/04/2019 14:48

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has expressed his readiness to continue the dialogue for a Cyprus settlement from where it left off in Crans Montana as a result of the non acceptance on behalf of Turkey of the parameters set out by the UN Secretary General himself.
 
The President pointed out that he had expressed this readiness to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres right after the process was terminated in Crans Montana.
 
Speaking at the PASYDY union congress in Nicosia, President Anastasiades expressed hope that after the elections in Turkey, Ankara would revise its policy, focusing on the messages sent through the elections, so that there would be more flexibility in its foreign policy.
 
President Anastasiades referred to the parameters set out by Guterres and Turkey’s demands, and assured that he was doing everything in his power to reach a functional and viable solution, which would be compatible with Cyprus’ EU membership and would allow the state to be sovereign and independent for all its citizens, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
 
He noted that the UN Secretary General’s special envoy for Cyprus Jane Holl Lute would be in Cyprus over the weekend and pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to record reference points which would allow for the resumption of talks with a prospect to reach a settlement. This, he added, required political will on Turkey’s side too.
 
Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.