President Mustafa Akıncı said that he had a fruitful and productive meeting with members of parliament yesterday. He added that he had taken note of recommendations, suggestions and criticisms.
President Mustafa Akıncı
The President was speaking to members of the media after briefing parliament which lasted for around five hours.
Yesterday’s meeting was an extraordinary assembly of parliament adjourned upon a call by the President.
President Akıncı stated that he had found the opportunity to brief the members of the parliament regarding the developments in the Cyprus problem as well as the meetings he held with the UN Secretary General’s Temporary Special Envoy Jane Holl Lute and his upcoming meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.
Noting that it was a very productive and fruitful meeting, Akıncı also noted that he has taken note of recommendations, suggestions and criticisms and he has responded to questions posed by members of the parliament.
Pointing out that there had been no need to meet with parliament since the last round of negotiations were held at Crans-Montana in July 2017, Akıncı underlined that Lute’s efforts on drafting the terms of reference to find common ground between the two sides to restart talks was still underway.
“Once her efforts are completed with the common basis or not, I will be calling for another meeting with parliament”, said Akıncı, adding that he would have convened a meeting earlier had the need arose.
In response to a question on “alternative ideas”, the President responded by stating that “it is unfair to claim that Akıncı is rejecting other options” and emphasized that he is only talking about the Cyprus problem within the UN and International framework. Akıncı added: “I am not rejecting anything at all. These are the international realities before us. Regarding Mr. Anastasiades, we will see what he thinks on the 26th of February. His last proposal is on ‘decentralisation’. I am working towards finding a way out in order to have lasting peace on the island. I am working to establish a solution in which all sides can benefit from. I am working on creating a region without conflicts and a region in which Cyprus can be allies with Turkey…There has been enough bloodshed on this land. No one wins in conflicts. I am trying to achieve peace on the island and my efforts are geared in this direction”.
BRT
