President Nicos Anastasiades told a gathering of UK Cypriot community leaders over the weekend that “some progress has been achieved on important chapters” of the negotiations with Mustafa Akinci to resolve the Cyprus problem.
Earlier, Anastasiades met with prime Minister David Cameron with whom he discussed progress on the Cyprus talks, as well as regional issues surrounding security in the Middle East and energy plans in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as some of London’s views on matters related to EU reform.
The visit to Britain was a stopover on his way to New York to attend the UN General Assembly this week.
British Cypriots demonstrated their solidarity and support for President Anastasiades at a dinner in his honour on Saturday organised by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, held at the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood in London.
Accompanied by Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides and the Cyprus High Commissioner, Evripides Evryviades, Anastasiades briefed the Federation members about the latest developments in the negotiations, touching upon specific chapters of the talks.
He also highlighted the need for Turkey to show the necessary goodwill and send clear signals, through specific actions, to enhance the ongoing settlement process.
President Anastasiades said that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, and he share the same vision of Cypriots being in charge of their island, of Cyprus being reunited and of human rights being guaranteed, with all Cypriots being equal citizens of the EU.
Recognising this reality, he noted, helps to create an essential personal relationship which permits a more candid dialogue. “The atmosphere has indeed been different after Mr Mustafa Akinci became leader of the Turkish Cypriot community and the talks, even though we are still in the primary stages, have achieved some progress on important chapters,” added Mr Anastasiades.
Welcoming President Anastasiades to London, the President of the National Federation of Cypriots, Christos Karaolis said: “The progress and rapport that you have developed with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mustafa Akinci, over the last six months gives us all a sense of cautious optimism that we might soon have a solution that removes the Turkish troops and settlers from the island, respects the human rights of all Cypriots and reunites our beloved island so that all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians, Latins, can live and prosper together.” He also commended President Anastasiades on his “perseverance, patience and determination” in safeguarding the human rights of all Cypriots.
Christos Karaolis went on to express the solidarity of British Cypriots with President Anastasiades saying “I want to reassure you that the Federation and the community will stand by your side ready to assist in our collective mission to deliver what all Cypriots want – a free united Cyprus.”
He also referred to the important role that the UK has with regard to Cyprus and noted that the community will carry on demanding from British MPs and the government to fulfil their country’s responsibilities as a guarantor power.
