Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci is advocating an international conference be held in October on the Cyprus issue, noting that there have been convergences during his meetings with President Nicos Anastasiades.
In statements made in the occupied areas, after the sixth intensified meeting on Wednesday, Akinci has said that the Greek Cypriot side has said submitted a non-paper proposal on the guarantees issue, which has not satisfied the Turkish Cypriot side.
The Turkish Cypriot leader added that at his meetings with Anastasiades details are not being discussed, and that they are brainstorming sessions to start on the security and guarantees issue.
Akinci mentioned that Turkey has not agreed with some of the values being expressed.
However, the Turkish Cypriot leader added that the conditions in 1960 – when the treaty of guarantee was put into effect – do not exist.
Akinci has said that the Turkish Cypriot side will be ready to discuss the guarantees system when the time comes, but for now the issue will remain in the ‘brainstorming’ phase.
The Greek Cypriot position, he added, has not ended the Turkish Cypriot concerns, as the ‘Turkish Cypriot people’ feel safe with the guarantees of Turkey, which means they cannot see a system in which Ankara is not present.
He added that Turkey and Greece need to work on the issue, something which will be continued in New York, while the details will be discussed at an international conference on the matter.
Convergences exist
On the ongoing intensified meetings, Akinci has said that there are convergences.
He mentioned they may not be as many as they hoped for, “but at least there are some.”
Akinci has also expressed his hope that there is a positive joint press statement on September 14, adding that he was concerned to hear that the date they would be meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was revealed by the Greek Cypriot side, as it was set to be announced during the joint press statement.
The Turkish Cypriot leader added that the goal of achieving a solution before the end of 2016 in jointly supported, saying that in order for a solution to be achieved, the negotiations must continue in New York after the meeting with Ban, and a meeting with all involved in October.
On his trip to New York, Akinci said that he would possibly be heading there on September 20 or earlier.
Akinci mentioned that the attempts to find a solution will be intensified in Cyprus and New York, with a goal of creating a bizonal, bicommunal, federation, with political equality in both states, allowing both communities to live in peace.
After the meeting President Anastasiades had said that a recent document leak could be damaging to the process.
Source: CNA
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