Negotiations May Start Soon in Cyprus

TRNC NEWS HEADLINES

28 ŞUBAT 2008
PRESIDENT TALAT: “COMPREHENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS MAY BEGIN IN APRIL”
President Mehmet Ali Talat informed that in the event the United Nations (UN) takes initiative, comprehensive negotiations may begin in April. Talat pointed out that the Annan Plan will serve as a primary reference within the negotiations. Expressing of how the UN General Secretary must take initiative for a solution to occur, Talat added, “If the UN General Secretary takes initiative, this job will either finish or it will finish.” President Talat renewed his statement that division will be made permanent in the event that there is no solution.

President Talat stated that the European Union (EU) is a mechanism of cooperation and is not a guarantor for anyone and underlined that the EU could not fulfil the role of guarantor for them. Stating, “We have seen the guarantor-ship of the EU”, Talat reiterated that the EU has for 3 years held the Direct Trade Agreement on the agenda with no progress, and added that the European Union who could not execute statute could not be a guarantor.

Upon the reminding of the statement made by Hristofyas before the elections which was to the effect; “We do not want the Turkish military nor do we want its guarantee”, Talat expressed, “Statements such as “I don’t want one Turk” or “I refuse Turkish guarantor-ship” in actual fact means “I don’t want a solution””, and concluded by stating that agreements of guarantee and alliance are international agreements and that altering international agreements will exceed the capabilities of the Greek Cypriot side.

KAYALP: “THE REPORT IS PLEASING WITH REGARD TO BALANCE”
Mayor of Famagusta , Oktay Kayalp, stated that despite its points of objection, the draft report of Varosia prepared by the Appeal Committee of the European Parliament (EP), was balanced in its primary points and expressed his expectation that this balance is reflected within the final report. Kayalp pointed out that the draft report invokes the remittance of Varosia through a comprehensive settlement, and reported that this is a pleasing development. Kayalp mentioned of the diffidence of the Greek Cypriot lobby in having the draft report accepted with its current state, and concluded that the arbitration of the report is a political tactic aiming to win time.