Anastasiades: No Multilateral Meeting Unless Substantive Progress on Pending Issues

Unless substantive progress is achieved on pending issues, no multilateral conference can take place, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has stressed, Cyprus News Agency reports.

In statements on Wednesday, returning to the Presidential Palace after the last meeting he held with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in the framework of one more intensified round of Cyprus talks, the President said that at the Cyprus talks, significant convergences have been achieved in cores issues, but there are still important differences on other matters.

He also expressed the conviction that if the Turkish Cypriot side acts like the Greek Cypriot side and demonstrates understanding as regards the Greek Cypriot side`s concerns, there is prospect to succeed.

Asked about the meeting he will hold in New York with the UNSG and the Turkish Cypriot leader, on the 25th of September, he said that the UNSG will be briefed on the progress achieved so far, the pending differences at the negotiating table as well as `on the more active involvement of all in an intensified effort so that to achieve as soon as possible those convergences that could lead us to a solution, acceptable by all parties`.

As far as the next step is concerned, the President said that most probably, the leaders will continue their intensified talks.

“As mentioned in the joint statement, our intention is to take advantage of the coming months to succeed. As ambitious as it may seem it can become possible, if there is mutual understanding about the concerns of both communities, especially on sensitive issues that concern the Greek Cypriot side, "he said.

Replying to a question whether he is more optimistic after the conclusion of the latest round of intensified talks, the President said that this will depend on the differences that still remain.

He explained that if the Turkish Cypriot side acts like the Greek Cypriot side and demonstrates understanding as regards the Greek Cypriot side`s concerns, there is prospect to succeed.

Asked if there is a road map and if pressure is exerted by the international community, he said that there is no pressure and no intention to exert pressure, and added that if no substantive progress is achieved on the outstanding issues – which are many - so to justify a multilateral conference, this will not happen, no matter who intervenes or who wants to exert pressure, noting that there is no such intention so far.

As regards the press release issued earlier today in which there is reference to a more active role of the UNSG, the President stressed that this reference does not imply any arbitration role on behalf of the UNSG. The President pointed out that the press release notes that the Cyprus talks is a procedure led by the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus.

The content of the press release, he said, reflects the reality at the Cyprus talks, adding that significant convergences have been achieved in cores issues, but there are still important differences on other matters.

Asked if he feels strong enough `given the climate of division in the domestic front`, he said that he does not share the view that there is division in the domestic front, adding that `I am interested in the unity that must prevail between us` and noted that he needs the responsible stance of the political leaders in the next phase of the Cyprus talks.

He also said that when he returns from the US he will give a press conference to inform the people of Cyprus about the latest developments.

Finally, replying to questions he said that US Vice President Joe Biden will be among the officials he is scheduled will meet in New York.