‘Anastasiades' speech is far from political equality’

ANKARA

The President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Sunday said that his Greek Cypriot counterpart’s speech in London was far from an understanding of partnership in political equality.

“Political equality and effective participation are now an established UN parameter and are among the past consensus,” said Mustafa Akinci on social media.

“Implying Turkish Cypriots’ long-standing demand as Turkey’s imposition works for Anastasiades,” Akinci said.

“We have various challenges and we continue to struggle against them,” he added.

Akinci said that he will meet the UN Secretary General to protect the Turkish Cypriots' right to exist in equality, freedom and security, protecting their identity on the basis of international law.

Akinci also said he will inform his people with more details before his flight to New York on Monday in a press conference to be held at 0815 a.m. (0515 GMT) at Lefkosa's Ercan International Airport.

Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades said on Sunday that he will not engage in any dialogue until Turkey stops “provocations” according to Greek Cypriot local newspaper Cyprus Mail.

In 1974, following a coup aiming at Cyprus’ annexation by Greece, Ankara had to intervene as a guarantor power. In 1983, the TRNC was founded.

The decades since then have seen several attempts to resolve the dispute, all ending in failure. The latest one, held with the participation of the guarantor countries -- Turkey, Greece, and the U.K. -- ended in 2017 in Switzerland.