The aim is to resolve the island’s division as soon as possible, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Friday, but he reiterated the Greek Cypriot side’s position that no timeframes must be set on the negotiations with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Speaking after his meeting with Akinci, part of an intensive round of talks, Anastasiades said the goal was to achieve a solution, “if possible inside 2016, provided everyone realises that no one’s concerns can be disregarded, without however, affecting the other side’s rights.”
Asked if there would be an indication as to the direction the talks were headed following the July meetings, the president said “timeframes should not be set on this dialogue.
He said the dialogue helped in determining the concerns of each community “and at the same time there is a need to find a way to bridge the differences.”
The two sides have substantive differences, especially on the thorny matter of property, but not so on citizenship and basic freedoms, the topic of Friday’s discussions.
Anastasiades said the discussion was “constructive and creative.”
“If only we had the same approach on other, equally serious issues, where significant differences exist,” he added.
When prompted, the president declined to get into details about the number of Turkish settlers who would return to Turkey in the event of a solution.
“What I want to say is that the number of those who will have the right to hold the Cypriot citizenship is defined,” he said.
Asked if the ratio was four to one (population in Greek Cypriot constituent state versus Turkish Cypriot), Anastasiades said “very, very close, with a little deviation.”
Anastasiades said the way to acquire Cypriot citizenship was agreed, as was the matters of the basic freedoms, which were ensured.
The two leaders will meet again on Tuesday to discuss economy and EU matters.
Akinci said the meeting was held in a good climate and was useful.
The Turkish Cypriot leader said they aimed to discuss all issues in the four remaining meetings in July.
Asked about the future of Morphou, currently under occupation, Akinci said territory will be discussed at the right time, which was towards the end.
Akinci said the Turkish Cypriot side was very sensitive on the matter and refused to discuss names, percentages, or maps, before.
“We want to discuss this matter soon because we want to conclude discussions on the Cyprus problem, but today was not the day,” Akinci said.
Territory, security, and guarantees, will be discussed on July 29, he said.
Earlier this year, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, said Morphou, which was meant to be returned according to a previous reunification plan, was not on the table.
“Because the Annan plan was not accepted, [a return of Morphou] is not on the table,” Erdogan was quoted as saying, citing the fact that it is one of the most fertile areas on the island.
