Anastasiades: Trilateral Meeting to Take Place Only If Progress Allows It

19:07 - 01 Σεπτεμβρίου 2016

A trilateral meeting on the Cyprus issue, involving the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides and the UN Secretary General, could possibly take place if progress is achieved in the UN-led peace talks, which will be established on September 14, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades said on August 31.

He stressed that a multilateral conference will only take place “if I feel that there is such a progress that would allow for this kind of conference to be convened”.

Invited to comment on the Turkish Cypriot leader`s statements on a trilateral meeting and a five-party conference to take place in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, in September, the President noted that a trilateral meeting is likely to happen if there is progress on the talks, which will be established on the 14th of September, as the two leaders conclude the current round of intensified talks, Cyprus News Agency reports.

President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci held on Wednesday their third meeting in the context of a new round of intensified talks under the UN-auspices, following a short break for the summer holidays.

The two leaders are also set to meet on Friday, September 2, Tuesday September 6, Thursday September 8 and Wednesday September 14.

“A multilateral (conference) cannot take place unless I feel that there is such progress that will allow for it. Failed conferences which will lead nowhere will only serve as a tombstone on the negotiations. And this is understood both by Mr Akinci and of course by (UN Secretary Special Adviser) Espen Barth Eide” the President stressed.

Consequently, he added, it will not take place unless there is such progress by September 14 that will not only allow for a trilateral meeting to be convened, but will also encourage a multilateral meeting at some stage.

He also said that he has his own reasons to speak of a “multilateral and not a five-party conference,” as the Turkish Cypriot leader does.

UN-led peace talks are currently underway between Anastasiades and Akinci in an effort to find a negotiated settlement that would reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

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