President Nicos Anastasiades told delegates at the Institute of International and European Affairs on Wednesday that he is “cautiously optimistic” that a solution to the Cyprus Problem will be reached soon.
Anastasiades travelled to Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday for talks with, inter alia, Irish President Michael Higgins and Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
The President told attendees at the IIEA that Cyprus is believes that “Europe holds many of the answers to the Cyprus Problem.”
He added: “We believe that our capacity as a member state of the EU more than adequately addresses any security concerns and provides the best guarantee for all Cypriots.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and illegally occupied its northern third. UN-led peace talks are aiming to find a solution to the 42-year old issue.
GUARANTOR POWERS
Anastasiades also told delegates at the IIEA that Greece has made its position clear that it no longer “wants to be a guarantor power any more” and that the UK “keeps a very positive position saying that unless both communities ask, it is not interested to continue being a guarantor power.”
That leaves Turkey, with Anastasiades saying they are “the only remaining guarantor power who wants to continue [being as such].”
The President affirmed that “it is crystal-clear that maintaining third country military troops or guarantees in 2016, in an EU member state is not only unnecessary but also an anachronism in today’s world.”
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES
Updating the attendees on what are currently the most significant differences on the negotiating table at present, Anastasiades outlined: “[They] lie in the core and fundamental chapters of territory – which is linked with the chapter of property – and security and guarantees, which will weigh significantly as to whether a solution would be feasible.”
He said that if he and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci find solutions to these differences, “I am hopeful that a solution can be reached soon even before the end of this year.
The President commented that if Turkey showed “a similar degree of commitment, [to] engage constructively and proceed with concrete and tangible steps, [that] will positively reinforce the negotiating process.”
“BREXIT WILL HURT US THE MOST”
Anastasiades also referred to the UK’s decision to leave the EU following the Brexit vote, saying that it represents another major challenge for Cyprus and Ireland.
“As a result of our extended ties with the UK, we are the two countries that will probably be the most affected by this [decision to leave the EU].”
He assured that “we, on our part, are already in the process of identifying the areas that will be affected by Britain’s exit from the EU.
“We have a particular concern on fiscal issues and taxation, where we will lose a partner within the EU with whom we often saw eye-to-eye.”
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