President Mustafa Akıncı addressed the Economics and Politics seminar organised by the Middle East Technical University’s North Cyprus campus.
Evaluating the International Conferences on the Cyprus problem and the Cyprus issue, President Akıncı reminded that after the Mont Pèlerin and Geneva summits, the Crans-Montana summit was seen as the last chance for a solution being found to the Cyprus problem.
Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey had displayed a reasonable stance at the talks but that the Greek Cypriot side had not shown a similar attitude, President Akıncı said that despite this, the Turkish Cypriot side had not closed the door on dialogue at the talks.
“As long as the problem remains, the search for a solution will continue. Different solution perspectives can develop, whatever is going to happen will happen through negotiations”, he said adding that even if there is going to be a division of the island, that too will be discussed.
“We will not close the doors to dialogue but we also know that during this phase, negotiations will not take place”, said Akıncı.
Touching upon the politics that will be followed from this point forward, the President said “the negotiations will not continue open ended”.
Noting that another round of talks could only take place if it was result orientated, a balance package emerged and if the Greek Cypriot side underwent a serious change in its outlook, President Akıncı said that in the event of a possible solution, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be one of the constituent states and if a solution isn’t found then it will continue as is.
“There is no need to search for other ways”, said Akıncı.
Pointing to the importance of further strengthening the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the President said that there were many issues that are not related to the Cyprus problem that can be overcome for example traffic, environment and food safety.
“Let’s take the steps that need to be taken now in our own home and not wait for another spring to arrive”. said the President.
BRT
