President Mustafa Akinci has issued a statement in response to calls made by leaders of the opposition parties in parliament for him to brief the Republic’s Assembly on the Cyprus Issue.
The president said that he had given the utmost significance to informing all sectors of society and the evaluation of developments together during the course of the negotiations.
Akinci reminded that he had held meetings with the government of the day as well as the opposition parties.
“It was during my time for the first ever that the political parties that are not represented in the parliament had been invited to the presidential palace for a briefing meeting as well. Additionally, I have also met with trade unions, chambers, associations and other civil society organizations. As and when needed, I also briefed the mayors and mukhtars. The minutes of these meetings which were held in view of the Cyprus problem had been recorded and shared with the parliament for the use of the members of the parliament. As and when needed, we also had closed-meetings with the MPs in the parliament”, he said.
Pointing out that there have been no talks for more than a year and a half now, Akinci reminded that the UN was currently searching for common ground between the two sides for the resumption of Cyprus negotiations.
“It is not yet known how UN’s efforts will be concluded. It is without doubt that I will be meeting with the political parties represented in the parliament as well as with the members of the parliament depending on the course of developments on these efforts and before they are concluded. Therefore, it is out of the question for me to exclude or sideline parliament in any way. When I am exercising my authority bestowed upon me by my people, it is also my desire to carry out my duties while maintaining a healthy dialogue with all political and civil society organisations in our community. It is our most sincere desire to see everyone without any prejudice assist this approach”, President Akinci concluded.
BRT
