The leaders of the Democratic Rally (DISY) and the Turkish Cypriot Social Democrat Party, Nicos Anastasiades and Mehmet Cakici respectively, agreed on Tuesday on a common vision for a settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on a bizonal bicommunal federation.
Speaking after their meeting at DISY headquarters, Anastasiades said he was glad that, in the exchange of views with the leader and the delegation of the Turkish Cypriot party, ''we found common ground as regards our own vision and the common vision is that we are looking for one country, which is going to be based on a bizonal bicommunal federation, always respecting the political equality, as it has been defined by the UN.''
''We both agreed that the time factor is one of the most important elements in searching and finding a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus question,'' he added.
Anastasiades noted that ''we both support the leaders of the two communities in their efforts towards this direction, by encouraging them to be courageous enough and to find a solution, which will accommodate the concerns of both communities.''
Cakici said ''our party is a pro solution party'' and noted that ''we are supporting the negotiation procedure now.''
''Our vision is to find a solution based on a bicommunal bizonal federal Cyprus, and this must be under political equality,'' he said, adding that his party accepts the agreements reached by leaders of the two communities earlier this year for ''two constituent states but only one federal government with a single sovereignty and a single citizenship.''
Cakici said ''the vision is there, the vision is acceptable but we are not happy with the conditions, the negotiation process is very slow,'' noting that his party wants to see a solution reached in time for the Turkish Cypriots to participate in the European Parliament elections.
''The two leaders were elected for only one reason, a solution. The non solution is not a solution. Waiting and losing time is not a solution,'' he said and pointed out that ''our support is not indefinite.''
Regarding the harassment by Turkish vessels of Norwegian ships searching for hydrocarbons in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, Cakici said that there would be many such examples in the future if the Cyprus problem is not solved.
''This shows us that we need an urgent solution,'' he said, noting that ''we do not want to see any conflicts or the threat of war or any other things that threaten the Cypriots.''
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Peace talks are underway between the leaders of the two communities with a view to finding a negotiated settlement to reunite the country.
