Security, guarantees, and the territory issues were discussed at the Cyprus negotiating table on Friday, President Nicos Anastasiades has mentioned after his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Anastasiades, however, has said, regarding today’s discussion, that he was not satisfied by a proposal put forward on the guarantees issue by the Turkish Cypriot side, adding that he would not detail anything more.
Anastasiades mentioned, when asked specifically about the issue. “I would not be able to answer that. I heard something different in regards to the guarantees of 1960, it does not mean that we agree.”
Meeting added to intensified talks
The President has also announced that another meeting will be added to the intensified talks. Anastasiades has said that there will be an eighth meeting on September 10, four days before a joint press statement is expected.
The meeting, Anastasiades has mentioned, will cover some leftover issues, so as to deepen the discussion on the Cyprus issue.
Government sources added that today’s meeting was held without minutes being kept as both leaders didn’t want their recommendations to be binding.
Brainstorming session held on guarantees, security, territory
President Anastasiades has said in regards to today’s meeting, which was a brainstorming session on the three chapters, that there was an exchange of concerns and how the ‘red lines’ on certain issues have been drawn and affect the dialogue.
“What is important about the brainstorming is that concerns, opinions, and ‘red lines’, have been exchanged by each side, which will guide how the discussion develops,” the President said.
Asked if the same issues will continue to be discussed during the next meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Anastasiades has said that a dialogue will continue on every part of the Cyprus issue.
Meeting with UN, T/C leader
When asked about a trilateral meeting in New York at the UN General Assembly, the President said, “A general meeting, not a trilateral meeting, as there are not three members. Three parts do not exist. There is the UN Secretary General and the leaders of the two communities.
Political Party access to Cyprus documents
On whether or not there has been increased interest among the political parties in Cyprus to come and review the documents from the ongoing negotiations,
Anastasiades said that there is increased interest from some parties to review the minutes of the meetings, if they choose to.
Solution in 2016?
Regarding statements made by Akinci on achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem in 2016, before the elections in 2017, Anastasiades said that the Greek Cypriot side has been dealing with the Cyprus problem for 42 years, regardless of elections.
“The Cyprus problem is not an issue of elections, it is an issue of national interest,” he said.
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