Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (online, 13.04.16) with the above title reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said that one of the unsolved problems is still the financing of the solution, adding that in case of a Cyprus settlement, the compensations will be one of the critical points and the natural resources founded in the sea will be one of the sources of the financing problem. Noting that there are discussions on the cost of the solution, Akinci said that the cost of the non-solution will be higher.
Addressing a panel discussion organized by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Akinci evaluated the Cyprus talks and answered questions regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.
On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 13.04.16) reports that Akinci, explaining that the Cyprus negotiations process has been continuing for over 30 years and that this is probably the last chance for a federal solution to be formed in Cyprus, warned that if an agreement is not reached then, next year the two “peoples” on the island will further distance themselves from one another.
Referring to the large amounts of natural gas resources located close to the island of Cyprus, Akinci said that with wide cooperation that will include Israel, natural gas could be sent to Europe via Cyprus and Turkey and all regional countries could benefit from this. “There is a great opportunity for cooperation in the region. This cooperation could strengthen relations between Israel, Cyprus, the EU and Turkey and at the same time contribute greatly to the solution process on the island”, Akinci said and added that currently Turkey is the only country that fully supports the “TRNC” and that the solution of the Cyprus issue will assist Turkey’s EU membership process.
Asked to comment on the effects the coalition government to be formed in the “TRNC” will have on the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that the “coalition government” to be formed will have less support compared to the previous “coalition government” but expressed the belief that this will not affect the negotiations process. Akinci said that he is sure the “new coalition government” will support the Cyprus talks. “All the parties in the parliament have openly given their support to the February 11 2014 joint statement,” he said.
Noting that progress has been achieved at the Cyprus negotiations but that difficulties remained on issues such as territory and property, Akinci said that the financial issues cannot be solved by Turkish Cypriots or Greek Cypriots alone, the support of the EU and the international community is also needed to solve financial problems.
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.04.16), talks on the reunification of Cyprus may see a breakthrough later this year, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said on Tuesday. “It may be seen as an ambitious date to talk about 2016 but if we continue with this determination after the elections on the Greek Cypriot side, we can have the breakthrough, we can conclude an agreement on the main principles”, Akinci said in Berlin.
Greek Cypriots will hold an election in May and Akinci said that he hoped both sides will achieve further progress on the settlement, leaving minor details to next year. “If we conclude everything within months on the political side, on the basic principles, on the territory issue, on the security issue, property and other remaining main issues, then it is not very important, if we extend into 2017 certain other parts that will be worked out,” he said.
Source: PIO
