The New Year Message of President Mustafa Akıncı
shall not be published and broadcasted until 19.00 today.
There is a short period of time to enter New Year. We are leaving behind 2016, during which many unfortunate incidents happened in the world.
Besides natural disasters, we have witnessed sorrows caused by unnatural wars. We also witnessed almost every day the destruction of war continuing in the Middle East especially in Syria.
The tragedy, in which people lost their lives to reach Europe by travelling with inadequate marine vessels in Mediterranean, has continued.
We witnessed many terrorist actions in 2016 which continue to kill innocent people in various countries and in Turkey. In addition to these unfortunate incidents, an unsuccessful coup attempt was also made in Turkey on 15 July.
While such unfavorable incidents have been progressing in the world, we have spent efforts to find a solution for a deadlock in Cyprus which has remained unsolved for years.
In accordance with my promise I have given you, we are in an endeavor to create conditions of a lasting solution. Taking into consideration the possible negative developments of the year 2017, we have foreseen 2016 as a target in order to create frame of the settlement.
At the current situation there is a significant opportunity to hold a conference for Cyprus in the first half of January 2017- even if it will not able to be held by the end of 2016,- in which all related parties will participate to draw the frame of desired settlement. It is not wrong to say that the role of our positive and constructive contributions, as the Turkish Cypriot side, is noteworthy to achieve this final development.
As it is known, we will primarily meet as the Turkish and Greek Cypriot side in Geneva on January 9.
During the meetings until 11 January, we will negotiate on significant outstanding issues to reach consensus. It is clear that although we achieve a progress on many chapters, divergences on some matters have still exists.
The two sides will put their own maps on the table on 11 January and on the following day the security and guarantee chapter will started to be negotiated by the participation of three guarantor states on 12 January.
We are not a position to predict the consequence in Geneva.
However, we, as the Turkish Cypriot side, will travel to Geneva in order to create a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal united Cyprus based on political equality of two constituent states within the framework of agreed parameters by our political will and determination.
We will travel to Geneva to spend effort to reach a settlement that the two communities will live in equality, freedom and security.
We will be in Geneva with the understanding and determination to protect our social rights and also safeguard legitimate rights of the other community.
Dear citizens,
We face with the responsibility to build a new future for our new generation and our young people on our beautiful island.
As it is known, former President Mr. Eroğlu and Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Anastasiades signed a Joint Statement on 11 February 2014 to express their common view that the current status quo is not sustainable.
They defined the foreseen new structure, in the Joint Statement which they signed.
During the negotiation period which we have resumed for 19 months, new convergences have been achieved within this framework.
We will spend efforts now to reach consensus on the remaining issues with a last and strong effort in Geneva. The remaining issues are generally the most difficult matters. Therefore, our work in Geneva is certainly not easy.
We will be in close cooperation and consultation with Turkey as it is up to the present.
Dear citizens,
If a positive development could be achieved in Geneva as it is desired and if a frame could be created by both sides, then we could step forward to fill in the frame.
Within this context, parties will start to work on to prepare the federal constitution, constitution of two constituent states, federal laws and practical matters. In addition to this, it is important to do the necessary preparations to inform the two communities regarding all details before holding a referendum. We attach importance to inform the two communities in detail first and then provide an opportunity for them to hold sound judgement in the referendum.
At this point, I have to share one of my observations with sorrow.
We observe that some groups in the southern Cyprus and Greece which could not tolerate a bi-zonal and bi-communal federal solution create a front that rejects the settlement in Cyprus in principle.
However, even if we haven’t yet agreed on some important issues, we regret to see that some circles in TRNC and Turkey have launched a "no campaign" against a possible settlement.
Those who launched the no campaign are using false accusations and smear campaigns in an effort to defame me as the President who is elected by getting a substantial amount of your votes.
These circles are trying to proceed by acting as part of a planned action together with some officers here.
Such behavior will probably increase in the upcoming days. I have no doubt that you will be alert to such behavior which will not serve to the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.
As we continue our preparations in order defend our rights in the best possible way in Geneva and to reach a lasting and a just settlement, being subject to such attacks is not justifiable in any way.
Dear citizens,
At the end of my words, I would like to express that;
We will sincerely work on reaching a solution in Geneva which our island deserves and the next generation will live in peace and prosperity. We will achieve progress resolutely with a rationalist stance by listening to the voice of our conscience and by regarding the expectations of our precious people.
We are conscious of the authority and responsibility that our esteemed people have given us.
I wish that the Greek Cypriot side would adopt a rationalist and realistic stance. If they adopt such an attitude, the meetings in Geneva can lead to reach a solution in Cyprus which has been waiting for half a century.
I wish wholeheartedly that 2017 will be the year of solution and peace.
May 2017 bring you primarily health, peace and happiness.
Mustafa AKINCI
President
