Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci discussed on Tuesday morning in Geneva four pending issues of the chapter of Governance in the framework of their UN-led negotiations on the Cyprus problem, which continue here from January 9-11.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades
Among these issues were the participation and the decision making process for the federal institutions and the amendment of the constitution.
A Greek Cypriot side source has described once again the issues being discussed as “very difficult”, adding however that there are prospects for progress in one of the aforementioned issues, while others are more difficult.
It also noted that there are aspects addressed at the negotiations which will affect all issues under discussion, if they are solved, both in the Chapters of Governance and Property.
Such issues are the Turkish Cypriots` effective participation which is related to the chapter of Governance and the treatment of Turkish Cypriots, Turkish settlers and citizens from third countries as regards the property issue. With regard to this issue, there is disagreement between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot sides as the latter believes that these three categories of people should be addressed on a different basis. If this issue is settled, then 80% of the property issues will have been solved, the same source has indicated.
As regards the issue of the international Conference on Security and the Guarantees that will begin in Geneva on January 12, it noted that as things stand right now there will be a representation at Foreign Ministers level.
The same source also said that during his meeting with the National Council on Monday evening President Anastasiades said that he had on Monday afternoon a very good and constructive discussion with Akinci on the Security and Guarantee issue and that the intention is to address concerns being raised.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.
Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led negotiations since May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
