Government Spokesman, Prodromos Prodromou, has said that when negotiations for Cyprus resume, what must become evident is whether Turkey has decided to allow an agreement between Cypriots and not to be involved in Cyprus affairs.

In remarks to journalists on the sidelines of a memorial service for the people of Spilia-Kourdala communities who fell during the Turkish invasion of 1974, the Spokesman added that the main issue is for Cyprus to emerge with an advantage.

A press release issued by the Presidency of the Republic, said that Spokesman Prodromou indicated that the draft report of the UN Secretary General report on his good offices mission refutes those who worried that the negotiations are doomed.

According to Prodromou, there is interest for negotiations to take place and we hope that this will become a reality.

He also said that President Nicos Anastasiades’ approach that there should be preparation, is also confirmed with the Secretary General sending an envoy in the region to assess the situation, something that indicates that it is a necessary step in having solid expectations during negotiations.

Prodromou also said the Guterres Framework outlines a specific agenda which the negotiations should be based on and for the first time in the history of the Cyprus problem puts the issue of security at the epicentre of an agreement, with the abolition of guarantees and the withdrawal of Turkish troops.

Therefore, what President Anastasiades and Greece achieved at Crans Montana, will continue at the negotiations, where it will become evident if Turkey has decided to allow an agreement between Cypriots, without demanding involvement in Cypriot affairs, he added.

This is the line we need to follow to rid Cyprus of the Turkish occupation and presence. “The main issue is for Cyprus to come out of this as a winner. For negotiations to handle the heart of the problem which is the invasion, occupation and Turkey’s involvement. We must unite our forces in this direction”, he added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. A UN-backed Conference on Cyprus last summer in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana, aiming to reunify the island under a federal roof, ended inconclusively