Political party leaders at the National Council were informed on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem, as they had requested at the beginning of the meeting, government spokesperson Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday.
Christodoulides said that the political party leaders had requested to be informed on the latest developments instead of the European Union and economy chapters as had been agreed before the meeting.
President Nicos Anastasiades responded positively to the agenda change, Christodoulides said, adding that information was given on all the ongoing talks since the last meeting of the National Council.
“Many questions – filed by political leaders – were answered,” the government spokesperson mentioned.
He added that the President is taking the opinions and concerns of the political parties seriously.
“We must be especially careful”
Readiness to consult
Christodoulides said: “We must be especially careful, as I believe many times either statements or interpretations are made on the Turkish Cypriot side’s position, which are then presented or interpreted as agreed issues at the negotiating table or positions of the Greek Cypriot side. This does not apply.”
He added that the attempt is continuing, and that the President has expressed his readiness to continuously consult with the political party leaders.
Christodoulides also mentioned that the parties plan to inform negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis on their representatives, so that a discussion can begin as had been agreed at the previous National Council meeting.
Parties express concerns on territory issue being discussed abroad
When asked about the concerns the political parties had shown on the territory issue not being discussed in Cyprus, Christodoulides said: “Surely it would be preferable that the discussion happen in Cyprus. What we have to retain, though, is the point. And the point is that a very important issue will finally be discussed, and in fact will be discussed in conjunction with the property issues and not with the security issue, as had been the position of the Turkish Cypriot side in the past.”
Hidden dangers
The government spokesperson added: “For some time we have been saying that the time has come, that it is important that the territory issue be discussed. Now, we have arrived at the time for discussion, and I believe that we have to look at the main point. And the main point is that there is a need to finally discuss this decisive chapter on maps and names.”
Asked if moving abroad has hidden dangers, Christodoulides said that there is absolutely no danger. “As things stand at the moment, with the two negotiating teams and the UN team in discussions at the old Nicosia airport, the discussion is ongoing. If and when both leaders make a decision after the meetings are over, then the talks will be moved abroad,” Christodoulides said.
When asked about the Turkish Cypriot leader’s position on a potential interim solution, Christodoulides replied that there would be no interim solution. “I would like to remind you that it is the President who has brought to the table and is now discussing the first day of a solution, the economics of a solution, and other facets of the Cyprus problem that have never been discussed in the past. And this is because the President will not place a plan before the Cypriot people which contains uncertainties, be they constructive or otherwise. Therefore, there is no issue of reaching an interim solution. The President has clearly told political party leaders that it is wrong to interpret statements made by the Turkish Cypriot side as agreed-upon issues, or to present these issues as having been accepted by the Greek Cypriot side,” he said.
Regarding the next National Council meetings, the government spokesperson said that the meetings will be decided upon soon.
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