President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades said Sunday he is completely satisfied from the tripartite meeting in New York with the Turkish Cypriot leader and the UNSG, noting that no timeframes were set nor an issue of arbitration were raised and the procedure is Cypriot owned.
The meeting with Ban Ki-moon, said Anastasiades, gave the “opportunity to present the progress achieved so far but also the existing differences and to point out not only significant convergences but also divergences that exist on important chapters”.
What was agreed, he continued, “is that when the two leaders return to Cyprus, they will be involved in a new intensified effort to achieve, the soonest and if possible within 2016, although it is ambitious, convergence that will lead to a modern, European state, that will be functional and viable, reunite the country and institutions and create conditions for a prosperous country, away from any problems that we have faced in the past”.
President Anastasiades said that “no timeframes were set or any form that deviates from the principle that it is a Cypriot owned process, without arbitration or artificial timeframes”.
The President added that “we are determined to work tirelessly to achieve a solution that will cover the concerns of the two communities, a solution that will be viable and lasting and will respect the human rights of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and will not call for depending on third parties”.
Referring to his meetings in New York, President Anastasiades said he conferred with the UNSG, the US Vice President, the Russian Foreign Minister, the Egyptian President, the Greek Prime Minister, the President of Palestine and also attended a working lunch with the permanent representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
He said Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides also held meetings with his counterparts from the UK, Lebanon, New Zealand, Bangladesh and other meetings with officials.
On his talks with the SG, President Anastasiades said he referred to the important progress achieved and the equally significant problems that “we are facing on substantive issues”.
He said he talked about the same things with the US Vice President, noting that he is fully satisfied with Joe Biden`s constructive stance on the property, territorial adjustments and guarantees issues which Anastasiades raised. The two, he added, also discussed bilateral issues including energy and strategic partnership in various fields.
With the Russian FM, he said he informed Sergey Lavrov on the current situation on the Cyprus issue, including the property issue and the problems that ensue from territorial adjustment and security. President Anastasiades said he was satisfied with the Russian FM`s understanding.
They also exchanged views on bilateral issues and the agreements signed last year with President Vladimir Putin.
President Anastasiades said that with the Permanent Five, there was a complete briefing on the Cyprus issue and the current phase of the talks and what was stressed is that there should be complete respect by all of the Cypriot-led nature of the talks and to avoid any intervention to set either timeframes or arbitration.
President Anastasiades said that during his meeting with the Egyptian President, they confirmed the excellent level of relations and talked about the forthcoming tripartite meeting in Cairo on 11-12 October and issues of mutual interest. He also thanked the Egyptian President on his country`s position of principle on the Cyprus problem at the Islamic Conference.
With the Greek Prime Minister, said Anastasiades, we are in continued contact and said he was fully satisfied with the excellent stance and complete support of the Greek government.
Regarding his meeting with the Palestinian President, Anastasiades said they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and said he will visit Cyprus at the latter`s invitation within 2016.
Anastasiades also met with the Prime Minister of the Holy See, Archbishop of America Demetrios and members of the overseas Cypriot and thanked them for their support in the Cyprus cause.
During a meeting with members of the Cyprus – American Chamber President Anastasiades exchanged views on further promoting trade and economic relations with the US.
Anastasiades highlighted his meeting with members of the American-Jewish committee which he informed on the excellent relations with Cyprus and Israel, prospects to enhance cooperation and said he was grateful to receive the “Light Unto the Nations” prize of the American Jewish Committee, during a special ceremony in New York.
President Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in peace talks under the UN aegis with a view to finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. The island has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
CNA/AZ/EC/GCH 2016
