Christofias calls on Turkey to be flexible

PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias yesterday called on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey to show flexibility and goodwill in the upcoming talks, due to being on September 3.

Speaking at separate events yesterday, Christofias said the Greek Cypriot side would go to the talks in a spirit of goodwill and honesty to find a solution.

“We hope to find similar feelings among our Turkish Cypriot compatriots,” Christofias said during an event in Paphos last night to mark the anniversary of the Athens-backed 1974 coup and subsequent Turkish invasion.

Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on Friday to start new negotiations on September 3 under UN auspices.

The UN’s new special advisor for Cyprus Alexander Downer arrives on the island today and is due to meet the two leaders on Tuesday.

During an earlier event to unveil a statue of Nicos Solomou who lost his life during the coup, Christofias said on some issues there had been a convergence of positions between the two sides but he said here were significant serious issues over which there were still substantive disagreements.

“We decided, with the Turkish Cypriot leader to start talks in September with the aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible,” said Christofias.

He said the decision had been taken after assessing the situation with political parties, and after reviewing progress in the working groups and technical committees.

“We would like to believe now that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey will show flexibility and goodwill for a reasonable settlement as well as cooperation so that the talks reach a happy conclusion that will benefit all of us,” Chistofias added.

“Our positions are reasonable and just, they are based on our philosophy to reunify our country, our people, our institutions and our economy.”

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