Turkish-Cypriot Leader Akinci Offers Comments After Meeting President Anastasiades

The Turkish-Cypriot newspaper stated that Akinci discussed the complicated negotiations between the two territories of the island. The new chief stated, "The approach should not be seeing the person sitting before you as your enemy. Our view is seeing the person sitting before you as 'future partner' and this is extremely important."

Akinci also commented after the 4.5 hour long meeting with his Greek-Cypriot counterpart, to Turkish-Cypriot newspaper Kibris Postasi about confidence building measures, "While we are moving forward with CBMs we should never forget that our main focus is always the comprehensive settlement. Whatever we do in the meantime will serve for the final result and that is the comprehensive and permanent solution."

The Turkish-Cypriot leader also confirmed that negotiators will meet on a regular basis, "No one wishes to waste any time. Preferably if we find a way out of the Cyprus problem by the end of this year all parties will be pleased. We don't aim to pressure for a calendar, however the negotiations have been ongoing for 47 years and no one can tolerate for the talks to go on longer."

(Source: Parikiaki)