By George Psyllides
President Nicos Anastasiades is seeking the resumption of reunification talks under the right conditions, the government spokesman said on Monday, after a national council meeting.
Prodromos Prodromou said the president briefed party leaders about his recent meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and UN special envoy Jane Holl Lute, especially over the process of drafting the terms of reference for the negotiations.
The president shares the concerns raised during the meeting “but everyone must keep in mind that what the president seeks is resumption of the negotiations under the right conditions,” the spokesman said.
Prodromou declined to get into the details of the terms of reference before a new meeting with Lute that has not been scheduled yet.
The spokesman said there was no question of an open-ended procedure.
“The Greek Cypriot side never wanted an open-ended procedure. It is known that we want the Turkish occupation to end, today if possible.”
When a reporter pointed out that that could mean a timeframe, which is anathema for the Greek Cypriot side, Prodromou said there was no such information.
“After the meeting he had with Mrs Lute, the president had said that we want the terms of reference drafted as soon as possible and through negotiation we are seeking to come to an agreement in the foreseeable future. This says it all,” the spokesman said.
The matter of the loose federation also came up during the national council meeting but there was no discussion.
What was certain, the spokesman said, was that the president wants to fully secure functionality of a potential deal.
Main opposition Akel leader Andros Kyprianou expressed concern afterwards over the possibility of failing to agree on the terms of reference.
Kyprianou said the Cyprus problem was entering a decisive phase and “defining the terms of reference will aim at clarifying where we are today and where we want to go.”
He said it was important to know the target well in a bid to have a clear framework on which the talks will be based.
“Our appeal is to continue discussions on the basis shaped to date and not to attempt any diversions from what has been agreed because we fear they would lead to other directions,” Kyprianou said.
Ruling Disy chief Averof Neophytou said he was satisfied by the briefing during which the president reaffirmed that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to resume talks for a bizonal, bicommunal, federation.
Neophytou said any solution must not create problems to daily life and provide prospects.
As regards timeframes, Neophytou said the it was also made clear in the UNSG’s report.
“A new procedure cannot be open ended.”
Diko chairman Nicolas Papadopoulos struck a note of caution in this “critical stage” to prevent Turkey from achieving what it wanted.
“Either winning rewards by the resumption of the talks, or connecting the resumption of negotiations with Unficyp remaining on the island, or the change in the Unficyp’s mandate, or the natural gas exploration.”
