Mustafa Akıncı at his press conference with European Parliament president Martin Schulz
The Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı was in Brussels this week, where he met European Union leaders including the European Parliament president Martin Schulz.
Before his departure from Cyprus Mr Akıncı said his intention was convey two messages: that the EU should be prepared for the Turkish Cypriots and that the time for a solution was now.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Brussels with Mr Schulz, the Turkish Cypriot leader said: “We want a solution for our people, we don’t want the continuation of the status quo. We are approaching the final destination and I am convinced that the European Parliament will be supportive.”
Espen Barth Eide, the United Nations special representative in Cyprus
Mr Akıncı said that after being outside the international law for many years they wanted to be a part and parcel of Europe: “We want our community to be part of the European family.”
Mr Schulz told reporters after the meeting that “it is in the highest interest of the EU that talks are successful”.
He added that they will “do whatever is responsible to contribute to success. We are hopeful this is our window of opportunity.”
Mr Akıncı was expected stay in Brussels until Friday for meetings with EU officials.
It comes as the United Nations special representative in Cyprus praised the “positive and results-oriented atmosphere” of the peace talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots.
Espen Barth Eide said Mr Akıncı and Nicos Anastasiades, his Greek Cypriot counterpart, were now focusing on “unresolved core issues” related to governance, property, and criteria on territory, as they both continued what he described as “their pursuit of a comprehensive settlement for the political situation facing the Mediterranean island”.
Mr Eide continued: “Mr. Akıncı and Mr. Anastasiades discussed those issues at length in a pragmatic and constructive manner, making further progress. They provided new guidance to the negotiators who will meet three more times this week to carry forward their work on core issues.”
On the topic of confidence building measures, a statement from Mr Eide said both leaders “took stock of the work done to implement already agreed confidence building measures” and also exchanged views on the economic prospects that would arise from a solution.
“With substantive negotiations now at the centre of their work, Mr. Akıncı and Mr. Anastasiades reiterated their resolve to reach a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible,” Mr Eide continued, highlighting the “positive climate” characterizing the negotiations.
The two Cypriot leaders are set to meet face-to-face again next Friday 10 July.
