“We are entering the most critical phase of the negotiations” on the Cyprus problem, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades said on Monday and stressed that neither fear nor scaremongering can contribute to peace.

“In the coming weeks, on January 9, we are entering the most critical phase of the negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem”, President Anastasiades said, addressing an event organised by the Cyprus Paraplegics Association, and added that through the efforts made to date there has been progress that allows for the discussion of the chapters that have not been discussed by the leaders of the two communities.

The President said that despite the fact that there was some form of stalemate in Mont Peleran over the chapter of territory, there has been progress with regard to the size of each of the two states and the coastline. There was a disagreement over the population, he said, noting however that in view of the risk of a prolonged stalemate that would create unnecessary or undesirable situations and taking into account the need for Turkey to give answers on the issue of security and guarantees, “we decided that the dialogue should continue”.

As long as there is division, the problems will multiply, President Anastasiades stressed, adding that “neither fear not scaremongering can to contribute to the ultimate good called peace”.

President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci decided on December 1 to meet in Geneva on January 9, 2017. 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.

The leaders of the two communities have been engaged in UN-led talks since May 2015 with a view to reunify the island under a federal roof.