Cyprus Talks: Leaders say no ‘interim agreement’ on Cyprus problem

Cyprus: There was no question of signing an interim agreement on the Cyprus issue stressed both leaders of the divided Cyprus community after Friday's meeting, the third in October.

Speaking separately to reporters after the meeting, Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci denied there has been such proposal.

The terms of the negotiations, as laid down in the joint statement on February 11, 2014, say nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

Speaking to reporters, on his return to the presidential palace, president Anastasiades said:

“There is no chance for an interim solution. What will be presented to the people of Cyprus will be a comprehensive proposal with a constitution, with the constitution of the federal government, with the constitutions of the federated states, with the agreement which will be depicting the convergences, but also with everything that will constitute annexes.”

“Let me make it clear, the people will be presented with a complete agreement which will not omit anything from all that constitute the component parts of the solution” he added.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on his return to the North also echoed a similar comment and said;

“We are faithful to the concept of the overall solution. There is no desire or intention or proposal to sign an interim agreement that contains only a few points,” he said.

President Anastasiades said he and Akinci had discussed the competencies of the central government and of the constituent states during Friday's meeting and also the responsibility that the state would have in terms of international obligations, “so that there will be an oversight for the implementation of the obligations of the federal Republic of Cyprus”.

Anastasiades said that there was convergence on most of the competencies of the central government discussed.

“There are some outstanding differences… about three or four issues… the distance is not great,” he said.

When asked if the rotating presidency would be discussed in October, he said it would be as it remains one area where the two leaders disagree.

Asked if the topic was one of the thorny issues, he said:

“It is a thorn on which our position is given. It may remain pending until the end.”

Anastasiades also commented on political parties making hay from the thought of an interim solution, saying he could not have been more clear at Thursday’s National Council meeting.

“There are some who do not want to hear what is said,” he said. “I ask the party leaders not to cause confusion for those who still have some concerns.”

The two leaders are scheduled to meet again on October 13.
Source: Cyprus Mail