A multilateral and not a five-part conference on the Cyprus issue could only be convened when we will be in a range of a solution, said Cyprus Government spokesperson Nikos Christodoulides. More in this report by Themi Kallos.
Asked about the statement by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who proposed a process that begins with meetings on the issue of territory and continues with participation of guarantor powers on the issues of guarantees and security, Christodoulides said, “this is the well-known position of the Turkish side which has been expressed in the past.”
According to Cyprus News Agency, Mr Christodoulides said “at the current stage a discussion on the four chapters of the Cyprus problem is being made,” further noting that this discussion should be concluded before both sides proceed with the two remaining chapters, namely the issue of territory and the issue of security and guarantees.
"Depending on the results in the negotiations on the six chapters and when we will be in a range of a solution, a multilateral and not a five-part conference can be made, which will abolish the current unacceptable system of guarantees,” concluded Christodoulides.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops illegally invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
