Remarks by the President of the Republic following
his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot
leader
We are at a stage of mutual comprehension of the
difficulties, but also of common understanding that we must work in a way that
both sides will be helped, the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades,
said today.
In remarks to reporters, at the Presidential Palace,
following his return from the old Nicosia airport, where he held talks with the
leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, President Anastasiades, when asked how
was today’s and last for 2015 meeting, said: “I think that it was quite
productive, because we had a review of everything that was done up to now. We
have, of course, discussed also issues regarding property, as well as many other
important matters concerning the Cyprus problem.
I can say that it was a positive meeting. There are, I
must say, differences, but we have both stated our determination to work in a
way that will help us to overcome (the differences) through a mutual
understanding of the concerns of each of the two communities”.
Asked where we are after three months of talks, the
President of the Republic said that “we are at a stage of mutual comprehension
of the difficulties, but also of common understanding that we must work in a way
that both sides will be helped.”
In response to a question whether the UN Secretary
General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus has sounded out about a multiparty
conference in Davos at the end of January, the President said “no, and if I were
to be sounded out, I do not consider that it is time for something like
that.
I have been invited and I have accepted the invitation
by the organizers to participate at the annual Davos Meeting (of the World
Economic Forum), and my intention is not to go in order to participate in a
multiparty or any other conference. I will participate in a World Economic
Forum, which of course does not have any relation to the Cyprus problem, but if
there will be bilateral meetings, and bilateral meetings will take place, the
issue of course, in the context of explaining what we seek and what we desire,
will be what would be viable in a solution to the Cyprus problem”.
Asked how much more time is needed for the property
issue or whether there will be a change of subject under discussion, President
Anastasiades said that “we talk on all the chapters; we do not confine ourselves
to the property issue. Of course the property issue is one of the most difficult
problems as are, also, the territorial readjustments, the guarantees, the
timetables for the withdrawal of the occupation forces, etc.
Consequently, what we seek is a comprehensive, overall
review of all the parameters, so that we can achieve a viable, functional and
lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. I repeat, our own desire, and I want to
believe that this also corresponds to the expectations of the Turkish Cypriots
or the Turkish Cypriot leadership, is not who will be the winner or who will
remain a loser”.
Asked whether there is a problem with regard to the
return of Morphou, President Anastasiades replied “no, none”.
In response to a question whether the Turkish Cypriot
side has accepted readjustments that would include the return of Morphou as
well, the President said that they have not gotten into the territorial issue to
this moment, “but I consider it as an indispensable condition that areas which
were being returned on the basis of the Annan Plan, can in no way be
altered”.
Asked about his visit, earlier today, to the
Anthropological Laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons with the leader
of the Turkish Cypriot community, the President of the Republic said that “it
was a very emotionally charged visit for both and I believe I should repeat what
we said also during the visit:
Whoever has any information it will be sensible to give
it to the appropriate authorities, with complete anonymity, and toward this goal
I will also consult with the Attorney General, in order to ensure that those,
who provide information, will not be subject to any prosecution, so that we can
secure, at least on this humanitarian issue, a free flow of information, because
there are reservations or concerns that some people by giving information may
find themselves on the dock. We will respect the anonymity; both of us leaders
have said it.
Consequently, I want to make an appeal for one more
time, given especially the Christmas holiday: Give any information you have. We
are talking about a purely humanitarian issue. Not for criminalization, not for
incrimination, not for whatever accountability whoever may be liable. I believe
that, 41 years later, the relatives of the missing persons are entitled to know
about the fate of their loved ones”.
Asked whether there is any response from Turkey to open
the archives of the Turkish army, the President of the Republic said that “what
we have is, at long last, it becomes acceptable –and this I must admit is due to
a retraction by the Turkish side- to open during the next three years, 30 or so
points that until now were characterized as military zones. This is very
positive and I want to hope that it will be followed until the end”.
In response to a question, if in his estimation there
has been a turn in Turkey’s stance into a more conciliatory position, the
President said: “that will be seen in the negotiations, depending on the stance
they will maintain. We want to see, beyond the rhetoric, some tangible proof
that we mean what the rhetoric communicates. We want to see substantive
progress, encouragement and support to the Turkish Cypriot leadership for
problems, for issues that are for sure particularly sensitive to the Greek
Cypriot community”.
Finally, the President of the Republic wished “Merry
Christmas to the Cypriot people. At the same time”, he added, “I wish to the
Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots that 2016 will be the year that will at
last bring us peace, but also the basic preconditions for a peaceful coexistence
and prospects for the future”.
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Best regards,
