President Mustafa Akıncı is looking at a tripartite meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President Nicos Anastasiades in addition to a five-party conference with the guarantor powers by the end of the year, Greek newspaper ‘Kathimerini’ reported on Sunday.
Referring to obstacles to an agreement on the terms of reference for renewed Cyprus talks, Akıncı said that the UN Secretary-General wanted the terms to be agreed ahead of his next report to the UN Security Council in November.
Last month, a series of meetings between UNSG Special Envoy Jane Holl Lute and the two Cypriot community leaders to agree parameters for renewed talks failed, after Akıncı insisted that political equality for the Turkish Cypriots was an essential condition for any negotiations.
“We must give up creating impressions and playing games and explain to our communities the realities,” Akıncı said, referring Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades’ refusal on August 9, to accept the previously agreed to June 2017 document laying down the framework for talks.
“We have an urgent procedure ahead of us that should be focused on the outcome,” Akıncı said.
Akıncı also spoke about recent tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean following Turkey’s drilling activities in the region.
Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots would not remain shackled in the face of work carried out by foreign companies, Akıncı said, adding however, that it would be useful if progress could be made on this issue before a solution is reached.
President Akıncı has proposed joint management of hydrocarbons before a solution to the Cyprus problem is found, however, the Greek Cypriot side has rejected this.
Ankara insists that some of the areas where South Cyprus is drilling for gas are on its own continental shelf and Turkish Cypriots have equal rights with Greek Cypriots to any finds in certain zones.
Ahval
