TURKISH Cypriot democratic party leader Serdar Denktash yesterday crossed the Green Line for the first time in 30 years to meet politicians from communist AKEL and centre-right DIKO to discuss prospects for a Cyprus solution.
Denktash, son of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, crossed early in the morning for separate meetings at headquarters of both parties.
Speaking through an interpreter after his meeting with AKEL leader Demetris Christofias, Denktash said he had a “very sincere and warm meeting” with party members.
”If we continue with this kind of negotiations we believe that by understanding each other better we will be able to find a solution between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots,” Denktash said.
Christofias said the two men had talked about relations between the two parties, the Cyprus problem and the prospects of finding a settlement.
Asked if AKEL members would be meeting in the north with the Democratic Party, Christofias said that as soon as certain obstacles were lifted, his party’s great wish of “crossing into the areas under Turkish occupation” will become a reality and such a meeting would take place.
He described his meeting with Denktash as “friendly” and expressed hope that more such meetings would take place and that there would be goodwill on both sides to discuss the Annan plan in order to reach a settlement before Cyprus joins the EU in May.
Speaking after his meeting with Denktash, DIKO Deputy President Nicos Kleanthous said they had agreed that a solution could only be found through sincere talks.
”The Annan plan is there to be used as a reference point,” said Denktash. ”Discussing sincerely the Annan plan as a reference point we can reach a common understanding.
It is important to continue the dialogue without denying that there are differences among us. The two parties, sharing the same name, can continue to negotiate and address the difficulties regarding the Cyprus problem and giving hope to the people.”
Kleanthous described the meeting as substantive and noted an atmosphere of sincerity and respect for each side’s views.
He also said it was pointless to hold any referendum for a Cyprus settlement before a negotiated agreement. ”The people are waiting for an agreement but they also need guidance and we agreed to meet again very soon”, he said.
