London Greek Radio

Unless substantive progress is achieved on pending issues, no multilateral conference can take place, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has stressed.

President Anastasiades (L) – UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide (M) – Turkish Cypriot Leader Mustafa Akinci (R)

In statements on Wednesday, returning to the Presidential Palace after the last meeting he held with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in the framework of one more intensified round of Cyprus talks, the President said that at the Cyprus talks, significant convergences have been achieved in cores issues, but there are still important differences on other matters.
He also expressed the conviction that if the Turkish Cypriot side acts like the Greek Cypriot side and demonstrates understanding as regards the Greek Cypriot side`s concerns, there is prospect to succeed.

Asked about the meeting he will hold in New York with the UNSG and the Turkish Cypriot leader, on the 25th of September, he said that the UNSG will be briefed on the progress achieved so far, the pending differences at the negotiating table as well as `on the more active involvement of all in an intensified effort so that to achieve as soon as possible those convergences that could lead us to a solution, acceptable by all parties`.

As far as the next steps is concerned, the President said that most probably, the leaders will continue their intensified talks.

“As mentioned in the joint statement, our intention is to take advantage of the coming months to succeed. As ambitious as it may seem it can become possible, if there is mutual understanding about the concerns of both communities, especially on sensitive issues that concern the Greek Cypriot side, “he said.

Replying to a question whether he is more optimistic after the conclusion of the latest round of intensified talks, the President said that this will depend on the differences that still remain.

He explained that if the Turkish Cypriot side acts like the Greek Cypriot side and demonstrates understanding as regards the Greek Cypriot side`s concerns, there is prospect to succeed.

Asked if there is a road map and if pressure is exerted by the international community, he said that there is no pressure and no intention to exert pressure, and added that if no substantive progress is achieved on the outstanding issues – which are many – so to justify a multilateral conference, this will not happen, no matter who intervenes or who wants to exert pressure, noting that there is no such intention so far.

As regards the press release issued earlier today in which there is reference to a more active role of the UNSG, the President stressed that this reference does not imply any arbitration role on behalf of the UNSG. The President pointed out that the press release notes that the Cyprus talks is a procedure led by the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus.

The content of the press release, he said, reflects the reality at the Cyprus talks, adding that significant convergences have been achieved in cores issues, but there are still important differences on other matters.

Asked if he feels strong enough `given the climate of division in the domestic front`, he said that he does not share the view that there is division in the domestic front, adding that `I am interested in the unity that must prevail between us` and noted that he needs the responsible stance of the political leaders in the next phase of the Cyprus talks.

He also said that when he returns from the US he will give a press conference to inform the people of Cyprus about the latest developments.

Finally, replying to questions he said that US Vice President Joe Biden will be among the officials he is scheduled will meet in New York.

President Anastasiades will brief this afternoon the National Council, the top advisory body to the President as regards the Cyprus issue, on the latest developments at the Cyprus talks.

Leaders want to see UN SG becoming even more directly involved, says Eide 

UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide has said the two leaders, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, want to see that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon becomes even more directly involved in the Cyprus reunification process in the coming months.

Eide who was replying to journalists` questions after the last meeting the two leaders held on Wednesday in the context of an intensified round of talks also said that in a meeting with Ban Ki-moon on September 25, in New York, all aspects of a Cyprus settlement would be discussed including financing. He did not wish to comment further however on what the framework of such financing could be.

Replying to a question on the possibility of reaching a solution by the end of 2016 he said that “it`s ambitions but possible” and did not wish to comment further, referring to the joint statement to the press issued by the two leaders he had read moments ago.

Asked what will happen in New York on September 25, he said that there will be a meeting with the SG Ban Ki-moon, the two leaders, myself and the core teams from all sides and we will discuss exactly what was said in the statement, which is the state of play and the way ahead.”

Asked in what ways could Ban Ki-moon intensify his support he said “by becoming even more directly engaged in the coming months.”

Replying to a question whether there will be multilateral meeting in the agenda of the meeting, Espen Barth Eide said that “what we will discuss with the SG will become known to the Secretary General when the meeting is being held and then maybe we can say something after that.”

But the commitment, he added, “is to have a serious meeting, well prepared from all three sides, the two sides here and the UN, to discuss where we are in this process.”

He spoke of how committed Ban Ki-moon is to the process, pointing out that “he is very committed, very supportive, as you saw in his statement only a few days ago when he mentioned that there are two signs of hope in the world, Colombia and Cyprus, in the same sentence.”

He is committed, he said, adding that the leaders “want to see that he becomes even more directly involved in the coming months.”

Asked whether they will also discuss the financial aspect of the solution he replied “absolutely.”

Replying to an additional question about a possible donors meeting Eide said “we will definitely discuss everything which includes of course the financing and that obviously also means that we have to discuss the modalities by which we ensure economic support”. In what kind of form, meeting or framework I have no comment, he concluded.

Article written by CNA