Despite progress achieved in the property issue, substantial differences remain, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades said on Friday, upon his return from his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in the framework of the Cyprus talks.

Speaking to the press, the President noted that the property issue is “among the most difficult ones”.

“The meeting took place in a positive atmosphere” the President said, noting that “despite some progress on the property issue, substantial differences remain”.

The President reiterated that the owner will have the first say on the property.

But he said that “there are problems on a series of issues”.

Anastasiades underlined that to reach an arrangement on the property issue it will have to be discussed in connection with territorial adjustments.

He also referred to the National Council saying that he intended to send the political parties a proposal on the composition of the Council and the conditions under which it will function.

He said he will convene a meeting of the National Council “provided that the party leaders accept some fundamental issues”.

His proposal, he added, includes an “honour protocol”.

“The leaders of the parties will have every opportunity to express their positions, but not the positions of others or what is discussed in the National Council or to publish documents. This is a sine qua non otherwise it cannot work in a constructive manner”.