Christofias: Solution possible by December if Turkey changes tune
NICOSIA - President Demetris Christofias believes that a political settlement in Cyprus is possible by December, if Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership change course.
President Christofias' comments came in the wake of positions expressed by Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in Ankara, that the current UN-led negotiations could conclude by December this year. Foreign officials speak of an ''international timeframe'' expiring in December, when the European Commission is expected to assess Turkey’s accession course.
''We want a solution soon,'' the President said, stressing that ''if Turkey needs a solution, it must first help itself. In my opinion, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership must change course and respect the fundamental principles of international law, in addition to showing respect for the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, of the United Republic of Cyprus, which I hope will emerge out of the unitary state.”
''If Turkey shows this respect and shifts its policy, it is possible to reach a settlement by December,'' Christofias said, warning everybody that they should remind Ankara, not Nicosia, of this coming December. Ankara, he added, must be reminded of its obligations towards the EU, Cyprus and the international community, which so far it has failed to meet.
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