Web Desk
If Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akinci is to be believed, talks on the reunification of Cyprus may see a breakthrough this year.
“It may be seen as an ambitious date to talk about 2016 but if we continue with this determination after the elections on the Greek Cypriot side, we can have the breakthrough, we can conclude an agreement on the main principles,” Akinci said in Berlin.
He made the remarks at a panel discussion at Friedrich Ebert Foundation, following talks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Greek Cypriots will hold an election in May and Akinci said he hoped both sides would achieve further progress on the settlement, leaving minor details to next year.
“If we conclude everything within months on the political side, on the basic principles, on the territory issue, on the security issue, property and other remaining main issues, then it is not very important, if we extend into 2017 certain other parts that will be worked out,” he said.
Akinci said he was sure a new coalition government in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus would support ongoing negotiations.