President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has called on Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to attend their next scheduled meeting, in the framework of UN-led settlement talks, while noting that he will not engage in a blame game.

 

“I do not wish in any way to engage in an unnecessary blame game, especially after the public narration of what has happened yesterday by the UN Secretary-General`s Special Adviser”, President Anastasiades noted in a written statement, on Friday, in relation to statements made by the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides.

 

At the same time, he went on, I wish to reiterate to the Turkish Cypriot community that I am ready to continue with decisiveness the ongoing dialogue, in order to reach a solution “based on the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations, as well as on the unanimous decisions of the National Council taken at various times”, as noted in the February 13 unanimous declaration, issued by the National Council.

 

My sincere intention, says President Anastasiades, is the settlement to address the concerns and meet the expectations of the Cypriot people in their entirety, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, in relation to a viable and functional settlement, based on the principles of the EU.

 

Therefore, the President notes, if the same determination also characterizes the other side, I call on the Turkish Cypriot leader to be present at the next scheduled meeting, in order to create through a constructive dialogue the conditions that will allow us to be optimistic for a positive outcome.

 

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. President Anastasiades and Akinci are engaged in UN-led talks with an aim to reunify the island under a federal roof. Akinci walked away on Thursday from a meeting, in the framework of settlement talks, shortly after it began. It was announced that the two leaders had elaborated earlier on their positions as regards a decision taken by the Cypriot Parliament last week to commemorate in schools the 1950 referendum, favouring “Enosis”, the union with Greece.

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