President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades said on Wednesday that it is impossible to find a solution to the Cyprus problem if Turkish troops and guarantees remain on the island.

Speaking after touring military camps ahead of the Christmas holidays, President Anastasiades said that at the negotiating table, he will raise what every country is entitled to.

Invited to comment on statements by the Turkish Cypriot side that without the presence of Turkish army or guarantees there will be no solution, the President replied, “let me reverse the position and say that with armies and guarantees, it is impossible to find a solution”.

However, President Anastasiades said he did not want to elaborate. He called for patience and determination noting that “on the negotiating table we will raise what every state is entitled to raise”.

President Anastasiades further said that the National Council will convene while he will continue to be in consultation with the Greek government.

He said “we have common positions with the Greek government and I believe the political leadership will cooperate in a way to help the negotiations” since they will be assured that no concessions will be made that they will disagree with.

We are all interested in finding a solution that will respond to the concerns, expectations and everything that was agreed since 1977, ie the basis should be a bizonal, bicommunal federation, he added.

He further said that everyone should realise that we need to exhaust all options but at the same time keep in mind the fundamental principles and positions that we claim. If the other side, he added, wants a solution it should realise that today`s conditions with Cyprus being a member state of the EU, make it necessary that we should abide by the rules of the union which we are part of.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

Anastasiades and Akinci decided on December 1 to meet in Geneva on January 9 next year. On January 11 they will present their respective maps on the territorial chapter of the negotiations and on January 12 a Conference on Cyprus will be convened with the additional participation of the guarantor powers, while other relevant parties shall be invited as needed.