A proposal by the Greek Cypriot side on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) should not be rejected since “this kind of opportunities will not always be offered,” Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said on Friday.
Speaking on the sidelines of an OSCE parliamentary assembly conference, in Nicosia, the Minister was asked about reports saying that a letter, containing proposals on CBMs was sent, among others, to the Turkish Cypriot leader, as well as to the United Nations. “The letter referred to various issues as a good will gesture on our part” pointing more towards what is considered to be the common good for Cyprus, Kasoulides explained.
Among other issues, he went on, there is also a proposal on CBMs, which were submitted a year ago by the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, to the UN Secretary-General “but because there was no agreement, the proposal is repeated providing an opportunity to be discussed.”
Asked about the prospects of these proposals, the Minister said that “we submit proposals, both in relation to the Cyprus issue and the CBMs and the Turkish side is rejecting them so far.” He noted however that up to this point he did not hear anything about the particular proposal on CBMs being rejected.
“There is no rejection yet. I am not saying with certainty that there will not be one” but “because this is a unique chance, that will offer the Turkish Cypriot community economic progress and prosperity, we believe that this proposal should not be rejected, since this kind of opportunities will not always be offered,” the Minister underlined.
As for Turkey’s activities in the region, Kasoulides said that the government made protests, pointing out that however that “Turkey wants to pursue its own policy.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.
Source: Cyprus News Agency