GC President Anastasiades to Turkish daily Sabah: "The name my heart desires is ‘United States of Cyprus"

In an interview published on Tuesday, Anastasiades also said: “During the conversation we had with TRNC President Mr. Akıncı regarding the name of the state, ‘United Federal Cyprus’ was mentioned, which is not true. The name my heart desires is ‘United States of Cyprus,'” he said.

GC President Nicos Anastasiades has told Turkish daily Sabah that the name his heart desires for a united federal Cyprus is ‘United States of Cyprus’.

Anastasiades also sent a message to Ankara from Nicosia, saying: “We first expect support from Turkey to our efforts with Mr. Mustafa Akıncı. We also wish Ankara to contribute to the resolution of the Cyprus issue.”

Anastasiades then stressed that the resolution of the Cyprus issue would also favor Turkey.

“This result will favor all the countries in the region. Turkey’s relations with Greece will be mended as a result of peace between these two countries. The passage to Europe and the ways of providing gas from the Levantine region can be opened,” he said.

“All in all, the success of negotiations on Cyprus will positively affect all the countries in the region and the Cypriot state will stand as a model country. And most importantly, the Federal Cyprus Republic, which would be in the European Union, will also be a close ally of Turkey at the same time,” he added.

This was the first time Anastasiades has spoken to Turkish media following the UN-brokered reunification negotiations that were reinitiated on the island on May 15.

Anastasiades sent another message: “We used to attend the circumcision and wedding ceremonies of Turks. We had nice and brotherly relations. My biggest wish is to be on the same terms again.”

When asked which Turkish political party presents a peaceful path for the resolution of the Cyprus issue, he replied: “The AK Party [Justice and Development Party], of course. After the AK Party came to power, it issued announcements regarding the requirement of finding a resolution to the current situation on Cyprus for the first time.”

Credit: IN-CYPRUS