CYPRUS PRESIDENT NOT AGAINST A NEW GENEVA CONFERENCE IF PROGRESS ON TALKS IS ACHIEVED
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said that the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot side have agreed on a definition as regards the issue of the legal domicile and exercising the four EU fundamental freedoms by the citizens of a future federal Cyprus.
Today’s meeting was creative, but there are still a lot of things to do, President Anastasiades said
In statements to the press after his four-hour long meeting on Tuesday with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in the framework of the UN-led negotiations on the Cyprus problem, Anastasiades said that they also discussed issues concerning the effective participation of Turkish Cypriots, adding that differences still remain on this issue.
There has been however an agreement on a definition as regards the legal domicile and the safeguarding of the four freedoms, “however some issues remain pending as certain details have to be clarified,” he added.
“There is a problem as they raise an issue relating to the regulation of the right to property acquisition,” the President said, recalling that this issue was first raised in Geneva. He said that the discussion will continue to find ways to overcome this problem. “I hope that we will reach a conclusion on this, if the other side has a constructive approach,” he added.
Anastasiades said that even though the right of abode has been determined – the right to work, the right to settlement, the right to property acquisition etc – “nevertheless there are certain differences, also concerning the issue of those who will be entitled to be considered citizens with legal domicile.”
The President said that they also agreed that during the EBRD 2017 Annual Meeting and Business Forum that will take place here, several international organizations will discuss issues concerning the post-solution economy.
He also noted that on May 10 the two leaders will meet with the head of European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker`s office to review the progress achieved at the Ad hoc Committee dealing with the Turkish Cypriots` harmonization.
Anastasiades said that this issue very important in that it will show whether the Turkish Cypriots will be able to harmonise fully in case of a political settlement, to allow the acquis communautaire to apply from day one of a solution.
Asked if the issue of the four freedoms has to do with the Turkish citizens, Anastasiades replied negatively, noting that it concerns the citizens of a future federal Republic of Cyprus.
Responding to other questions, Anastasiades said that the percentage of 20% concerning the political rights has been agreed, adding that “what we have said is that the right to free movement, settlement, work and acquiring property does not automatically entitle someone to have the right to legal domicile.”
“Someone will have to decide that he will stay somewhere legally. Their number may rise to 20% (Greek Cypriots in the Turkish Cypriot constituent state and Turkish Cypriots in the Greek Cypriot constituent state) or if it exceeds this percentage then weighted voting will apply at local elections,” he added.
Invited to say if he believes that the Geneva Conference on Cyprus may proceed after today`s meeting, President Anastasiades said that “there are still many issues to be examined, and I have made it clear that it is not enough to have an agreement on the definition of the right to exercise the four freedoms.”
Anastasiades said that he suggested that all limits should be exhausted by the end of May-mid June where this is deemed necessary, and if the necessary progress is achieved, then they shall proceed with a Conference in Geneva.
He noted that the Greek Cypriot side is not against such a Conference since it is Turkey which will have to outline its positions on the issues of guarantees, security and all relevant issues.
“Today’s meeting was creative, but there are still a lot of things to do,” he added.
Responding to another question, Anastasiades underlined that he will not discuss the continuation of the Geneva Conference in combination with the suspension of the Republic of Cyprus sovereign rights, noting that this is out of question and was not discussed at the negotiating table.
Moreover he said that the issue of the four freedoms for Turkish citizens was not discussed during today`s meeting.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. UN-led talks between Anastasiades and Akinci have been underway since May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
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