A meeting between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades , UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will probably take place on September 26 in New York.
Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General Espen Barth Eide (Left), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci (Middle), Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades (Right)
In statements to the press after his meeting on Tuesday with Akinci, in the framework of the UN-led negotiations on the Cyprus problem, and asked if his meeting with the UNSG and Akinci in New York has been arranged, President Anastasiades replied “not yet but deliberations are underway.” He said that the joint meeting of the two leaders with the SG will probably take place on September 26.
Anastasiades said that during his meeting with Akinci on Tuesday they discussed Cyprus problem chapters including those of the economy and EU affairs. Replying to a question, Anastasiades wished that the difficult issues they will face were as easy as these two chapters. Asked why these chapters have not closed yet and if significant differences are recorded, he replied negatively, noting that “there are however pending issues for which convergence is needed to close them once and for all.”
Invited to comment on information that a member of the Greek Cypriot negotiating team, Polis Polyviou expressed disagreement and resigned from the team, Anastasiades said that Polyviou did not quit adding that no one is prevented from having different opinions on legal issues.
He added that today he contacted Polyviou who did not express any intention to quit, adding that there was a disagreement between Polyviou and the Greek Cypriot negotiator which is legitimate and is not the only one.
He said that there were no disagreements among the negotiating team members that led to a conflict. On the contrary, “what I`ve been pursuing is to have a productive dialogue”, adding that each member of the team can express his concerns with a view to reach a final more positive view as to how issues are being addressed.
Anastasiades noted that in many occasions some of the lawyers participating in the negotiating team have different views and suggestions and this is something quite normal, adding that the required exchange of views takes place.
He added that this is why the team which supports that negotiator comprises nine members and this helps towards forming better positions to express during the negotiations.
Asked if the two sides will exchange proposals for example on the issue of territory or the issue of guarantees, the President said that they are exchanging thoughts and concerns and not proposals in writing.
He noted that he submitted proposals on the issue of guarantees and security, but this does mean that the other side is obliged to do so based on what has been agreed. Anastasiades added that dialogue and exchange of views will continue to see if they can reach arrangements based on the fact that the feeling of security of one community must not be a threat for the other.
Ask if they will discuss Akinci`s proposal on the issue of guarantees tomorrow, Anastasiades said that he did not tell anything about tomorrow, recalling that they will have three more meetings until September 14.
He noted that they will certainly continue to exchange views and make an effort to see how it is possible for everyone to understand that modern states, especially EU member states, do not need arrangements which may be considered as guardianship of one country over another.
Ask if these issues are linked with the territory issue, the President replied negatively, adding that they are completely different. He added that the territory issue is more linked with the property issue than with the security issue.
Asked about the dispute settlement mechanism and the issue of the foreign judge, the President noted that the negotiation is ongoing, adding that as regards the judicial authority there were concerns expressed by everyone participating in the negotiating team which he endorsed and conveyed to Akinci and which the Turkish Cypriot leaders` advisors also addressed in the same way. He added that justice is a very delicate issue.
Ask if a multilateral conference will take place, Anastasiades reiterated that if there is no adequate preparation or progress, there is no reason to have a multilateral conference “as it will not yield the results we are pursuing”.
On the contrary, he added, “it may lead to a wreckage even of the dialogue, which is currently on a good track.”
Asked if the results of the current phase of the negotiations will show if the Cyprus problem is close to a settlement, Anastasiades said it will depend from the outcome of the deliberations, adding that certainly this is a decisive phase.
He noted that given the will of both sides this phase is of decisive importance with a view to have a final outcome and achieve a settlement.
