Speaking to reporters upon his return to the Presidential Palace after meeting with President Anastasiades late on Wednesday night, President Akıncı said that the negotiations in Switzerland were extremely vital, as it was the last stage before the final round of talks.
Discussions on territorial adjustments will take place in Mont Pèlerin in Switzerland from 7th to 11thNovember, President Mustafa Akıncı announced on Wednesday after a five-hour meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.
Mont Pèlerin is a mountain in the Swiss Prealps, overlooking Lake Geneva.
The leaders, who began their meeting around 6.30pm, will be travelling abroad for those negotiations, to prevent potentially damaging leaks.
Stating that all issues, including territorial adjustments will be on the table, Akıncı said that chances of achieving important progress through political will was high as they would be meeting day and night.
Both leaders were determined to do their utmost so as to provide younger generations with a better future, Akıncı said. He emphasised that he will be safeguarding and ensuring the political equality, freedom and security of the Turkish Cypriot people when doing so.
“We have enough at hand for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. There is enough substance to move forward. We could go to the final stage in Switzerland”, said Akıncı, pointing out that there were only 45 days left to achieve a settlement plan.
President Akıncı also said that they could hold a five-party meeting shortly afterwards, if a positive outcome was reached in Switzerland.
“Everything will be easier if we have success in Switzerland”, he said.
Akıncı however pointed to the need to be cautiously optimistic as nothing at the moment was guaranteed.
“Nothing is definite yet. We could still have a road accident in the process”, he warned.
Akıncı also stated that the Turkish Cypriot side wanted to conduct a brainstorming exercise whilst in Switzerland, on the chapter on security and guarantees.
Responding to a question as to whether or not representatives of political parties will also be travelling to Switzerland, Akıncı said that the talks in Switzerland would be like their regular meetings and that he intended to invite the party leaders to the five-party conference.
Akıncı also renewed his prediction that a referendum would be held in mid-2017.
BRT
