The Office of the President has said that any confidence-building measures (CBMs) to be implemented must be mutually beneficial for the two sides and must be new and based on creative and realistic proposals.

A statement issued by the President’s Office also said that the CBMs must be based on the equal status and sovereign equality of the two sides.

The statement added that the reference made to the so-called President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades in the letter containing a series of CBMs proposals passed on to the Turkish Cypriot side through President Ersin Tatar’s Special Representative Ergün Olgun was unacceptable.

It added that the reference made to an exhausted ground for negotiations as if it was still valid was also unacceptable.

The statement pointed out that an official new process can only start following the recognition of the vested rights of the two sides, on the basis of sovereign equality and equal international status.

It noted that the CBMs proposed in the letter were not new and only aimed at creating a false perception which aimed to expand the authority of the Greek Cypriot side across the whole island.

“As a result these so-called Confidence Building Measures proposals have been rejected in accordance with our previous statements” the statement added.

The statement also noted that steps to build trust between the two parties can only be discussed on the basis of new, creative and realistic proposals that will provide mutual benefits based on the acquired rights of the two parties defined as sovereign equality and equal status.

“Instead of doing this, the Greek Cypriot side, on the one hand, continues to prevent our access to the international community in all areas, by using the false status of being the sole representative of the island while on the other, tries to convince the relevant circles that it is trying to build trust. This is simply insincerity. If the Greek Cypriot side wants to build trust between the two sides, it must first prove its sincerity and put an end to its efforts to prevent the Turkish Cypriot people, including our youth and children, in all areas” the statement said.

The statement also noted that with this understanding the TRNC was working on proposals that will contribute to the economy and welfare of both peoples, the island as a whole and the region on the basis of respect for acquired rights, adding that these will be shared with all relevant parties when finalized.