The dinner between the two leaders an opportunity to overcome the problems

Statement by Stefanos Stefanou, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 29^th March 2017, Nicosia

The dinner between the two leaders offers an opportunity to overcome the problems and resume the negotiations. The public statements being made by both leaders do not help towards attaining the objective of the resumption of the negotiations and further deteriorate the already heavy atmosphere. That’s why these statements must end.

The resumption of the negotiations is the first indispensable step. Of course, what is of greater importance is to create the preconditions for effective negotiations to be conducted, for the two sides to discuss the substance and not to spend their time in a discussion on minor issues or confidence building measures.

AKEL has its own view about the methodology that must be followed. The “packaging” of the outstanding core issues and a cross process negotiation (Note: the simultaneous discussion on different issues) is imperative so that an effective negotiation can be conducted. If the negotiation doesn’t yield results, nothing will be considered as binding. If however the negotiation arrives at a successful conclusion, then it opens the way for the discussion exclusively of the security issue, on which Turkey sees its positions not receiving international backing.

Any discussion on Confidence Building Measures should be supportive of the discussion of the core issues and not a substitute for the negotiation.