Roundup: Cypriot community leaders say set target date for solution by year end

The two Cypriot community leaders negotiating how to reunify Greek and Turkish Cypriots said on Friday they strive for a settlement agreement by the end of 2016 in their clearest yet statement that they have set a target date for a solution.

"We can turn 2016 into the year of a solution and set up a new situation in which all sides in the region will benefit," said Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci after yet another negotiating session with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

Echoing Akinci's statements in separate remarks to reporters, Anastasiades also pointed to a 2016 deadline.

"Efforts are gearing towards achieving final and conclusive convergences that will lead us to an overall solution of the Cyprus issue within this year," he said.

Anastasiades also said that Akinci alleviated concerns that a political crisis looming in Turkey with Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoglu's withdrawal from the government will impact their efforts to end the more than four decades old problem.

"We certainly expressed some concern but we have been assured that Turkey's intention to contribute to a Cyprus solution will not change," he said when asked about a possible effect of the Turkish crisis.

Turkey's role is crucial in completing a solution as Ankara has to make a decision to withdraw the Turkish army which controlled the northern part of the eastern Mediterranean island in 1974, reacting to a coup planned by the military rulers of Greece at the time.

Turkey will also have to end its role as a guarantor power for Cyprus which Greek Cypriots say would be unacceptable under a solution agreement.

Anastasiades also sought to pacify worries by Greek Cypriots that a wavering of visas for Turkish nationals being discussed between Turkey and the European Union will lead to an inundation of Cyprus by Turks.

The Cypriot president is under pressure from Cypriot opposition parties, currently engaged in a parliamentary electoral campaign, to veto a deal on the visa.

He said that there are ways to secure the interests of the Republic of Cyprus by setting out conditions for the arrival of Turkish nationals and also indicated that Cyprus has reservations on the plan presented by the European Commission.

"We will take all measures, with our partners, to secure in the best possible way, the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, whatever the recommendations of the Commission may be," he added.

He also said that Turks arriving through ports or airports on the northern part of Cyprus, which have been declared illegal, will not be allowed to cross over the dividing line separating the Greek and Turkish parts of the island. Endit