We should await for a more complete and clear picture of the result of the referendum in Turkey, to be able to evaluate the situation and draw safe safe conclusions, Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides has told CNA.
Invited to comment on the results for the reform changes in Turkey, the Spokesman stressed that both the Cyprus Government and the rest of Europe are still evaluating the results and the situation, adding that we need to wait for the reports by the international observers.
“There are some early indications worthy of particular attention, for example the fact that based on the result we have a divided country, the `yes` vote lost in the three largest cities of Turkey, the supporters of `no` vote challenged the result, the result on the voting in the occupied areas and some other important elements”, the Spokesman said.
He added that in Turkey there is a particular state of affairs and a voting result, which according to AKR officials` statements, was not expected.
Spokesman expressed the wish that situation inTurkey will be stabilised and that the country will take those courageous decisions needed, so that we will be able to be optimistic for a Cyprus solution, Christodoulides said.
According to a press release by PIO, Government spokesman has told state television Cybc that “we are in a critical state of affairs regarding the talks on the Cyprus issue, we have to handle difficult and sensitive issues and everybody knows that in the majority of these issues the final decisions will be taken in Ankara”.
Commenting on statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, Christodoulides said that at the Geneva Conference in January, everyone witnessed Turkish FM, Mevlut Cavusoglu referring to concessions of the four fundamental freedoms for Turkish nationals within the framework of a Cyprus settlement. “He used these particular words“, the Spokesman said.
According to Christodoulides this is an issue concerning EU – Turkey relations and a comparison between Turkey and Greece cannot be valid because Greece is an EU member state, while Turkey is a candidate for accession to the EU. This is a particularity that EU partners are aware of, he added.
Replying to another question on Akinci`s statements, Christodoulides stressed that the functionality of the solution is one of the most important elements. “State functionality will largely dictate over time whether the solution will be viable“, he noted.
“It is not possible within a federation or in the context of the functionality of a state to have the right of veto in all decisions. This would lead to deadlock, the deadlock will lead to unacceptable situations and will have implications we experienced in the past. So, it is very important for everybody to know that we can not jeopardise the state functionality”, the Spokesman said.
Christodoulides added that Turkish Cypriots “will of course have substantial participation in decision-making bodies” noting that in the High Level agreements in 1977 the Greek Cypriot side has made a painful compromise and this is the bizonal bicommunal federation. “Such a solution does not imply in any case the right of veto over all decisions at the federal level”, Chrristodoulides said.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-backed talks aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met almost a week ago, after a nearly two-month break, after Akinci had walked out of the talks back in February and scheduled a four meetings programme for the leaders until the end of May. Meanwhile the negotiators of the two sides will meet more frequently.
