President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades will take part in a UN forum in Constantinople at the end of May and will pursue to meet with Turkish officials.
He told reporters that he was invited by the UN Secretary General to attend the World Humanitarian Summit that will be held in Constantinople from 23-24 May. “Of course I will attend”, the president replied, answering questions on the sidelines of the annual civil servants union conference PASIDY.
Asked if he will pursue meeting with Turkish officials, Anastasiades said that this will depend on the forum`s schedule.
The purpose of the summit is to set a forward-looking agenda for humanitarian action to collectively address future humanitarian challenges.
Commenting on the ongoing talks, President Anastasiades said that “we are at a stage where there is progress but at the same time we are facing problems”.
The President added that “I would rather we concentrated our attention and insistence on positions of principle to achieve progress”, pointing out however that “for progress to be achieved, the other side and mainly Turkey have to show good will”.
Invited to comment on allegations by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci that there is an understanding for no drilling to take place in Cyprus` EEZ, Anastasiades clarified that “I have never allowed the issue of Cyprus exercising its sovereign rights, and especially the hydrocarbon issue to be raised at the negotiating table”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May last year, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
CNA/EC/GS/GCH 2016
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY