Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hilmi Akil delivered a speech on behalf of Foreign Minister Özdil Nami at the “3rd World Cyprus Turks Congress” yesterday.

Hilmi Akil said they were hoping the negotiations to resume and stressed that it was very important to make heard  the voice of all Turkish Cypriots both living in the TRNC and abroad.

Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot side’s primary goal was to reach a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal settlement on the basis of political equality and the UN parameters, Akil said respecting the convergences that have been achieved so far between the two sides was vital.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side did not confirm to stick to the convergences achieved until today, Akil said at this point, the UN should confirm these convergences and encourage the Greek Cypriot side to sit at the negotiation table.

Akil also stated that the Greek Cypriot side’s attempt to use the joint statement text as a precondition for the resumption of the negotiations was an example of its unwilling stance with regard to the negotiations.

Referring to the recent meeting between Foreign Minister Nami and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, Akil reminded Füle’s statement to the effect that the EU would not get involved in the negotiation process unless the two sides jointly demand.

Akil expressing the Turkish Cypriot side’s belief said, it was necessary to focus on the remaining divergences with discipline, political will and intensive efforts and  prepare a new comprehensive settlement plan until the end of the year,  so that a simultaneous referenda could be held in March 2014. Akil also added that if a solution could not be found to the Cyprus problem, joint studies with Turkey should be intensified with the aim of lifting the restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people.