Greek Cypriot Leader: Joint declaration nearing solution

ATHENS 

Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis said that the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides are close to compromising on a joint declaration regarding Cyprus.

 Anastasiadis said that the joint declaration ensures the principles and the foundational pillars of the solution; however this may not spell a solution, he said during a joint press conference with Greece's Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in Athens, the Greek capital.

"The joint declaration includes the parameters which both sides and Turkey should act on to reach a solution without out casting the rights of Turkish Cypriots, but at the same time it being acceptable by Greek Cypriots," Anastasiadis added. 

In addition, Samaras said that the Cyprus issue has been one of the most significant topics of Greek foreign policy, adding that he envisaged a solution for single sovereignty for Cyprus, international identity and citizenship. 

Peace talks between the Greek Cypriot administration and the TRNC continue under a UN initiative.

The Annan Plan, or the Comprehensive Settlement of the 'Cyprus Question', proposes to resolve the Cyprus dispute by restructuring the island as the "United Republic of Cyprus", which would be a federation of two states.

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