‘Inconceivable to accept irrational positions of Turkey’, president says
November 5th, 2017 CNA News Service
‘Inconceivable to accept irrational positions of Turkey’, president says
It is not possible to accept any demands by Turkey or present them to the Cypriot people as part of a proposal for a settlement, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Sunday,
He also reiterated the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to immediately resume negotiations, underlining at the same time the need for the international Conference on Cyprus to be well prepared.
Anastasiades also assured that the government would continue efforts to determine the fate of missing persons. Speaking at a memorial service in Kyperounta, the president said it was inconceivable for the Greek Cypriot side to accept the “irrational” positions of Turkey, which insists on maintaining intervention rights, to establish a military base on the island and on the perpetual presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus.
He also said that the Greek Cypriot side is taking into account the concerns of the Turkish Cypriots, and that they should on their part act accordingly.
People both within and outside the borders of Cyprus need to comprehend that Turkey has maintained an intransigent and negative stance, the President went on to say, referring to the latest settlement efforts last summer. Ankara, he said, was “responsible for the failure of the last round of talks in Crans-Montana” in Swizterland.
He also said that it was made clear to the UN and to his counterparts abroad that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to resume negotiations immediately. He noted, however, that this requires that an international conference be duly prepared.
“There has to be determination and political willingness by everyone involved, not only by our side, in order to reach a settlement,” Anastasiades said.
Turning to the families of missing persons, Anastasiades assured them that addressing the humanitarian issue was a high priority for the government. “We will continue to work in order to put an end to Turkey’s unacceptable stance over this matter, which is a challenge for the civilized humanity,” he said.
He also said that the government would continue to ask the UN and the international community to exert pressure on Turkey and highlight its legal and moral responsibility on this issue.