5.27.2008

Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Hasan Ercakica

Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Hasan Ercakica

President Talat has been maintaining his contacts in Brussels. The first impression elicited from these contacts is that the EU countries have greatly been interested in the settlement of the Cyprus problem. The Foreign Affairs and the Europe Ministers of the EU member countries wants the immediate settlement of the Cyprus problem. They have conveyed the message that they are ready to provide any kind of assistance.

As it is known, the negotiations regarding the settlement of the Cyprus problem are being maintained under the supervision of the United Nations. The Turkish Cypriot side is not for taking this process under the umbrella of the EU since the Greek Cypriot side spends efforts to exploit their unjust EU membership against the Turkish Cypriot side. Therefore, the contribution of the EU to the negotiation process has to be limited to a technical level.

In order to provide its political contributions to the process, the EU has to prioritize the lifting of the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots and in this context, the implementation of the Financial Aid Regulation and the adoption of the Direct Trade Regulation.

While the EU has been acting enthusiastic to solve the Cyprus problem, it should also pay attention not to organize joint military exercises with the GC side violating the international agreements just like France who will take over the EU Term Presidency soon, did. It should not be forgotten that establishing such relations with the Greek Cypriot side not only encourages them to maintain the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots but also averts their contribution to the settlement process.

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It should once again be stated that the meeting held on Friday between President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Mr. Demetris Christofias has greatly been positive in terms of its results.

At the moment, Mr. Ozdil Nami and Mr. Georges Iacovou, as the representatives of the two leaders, are evaluating the results of the said meeting. Naturally, the works of the Working Groups and the Technical Committees are being reviewed as well.

Following the meeting between Mr. Talat and Mr. Christofias on Friday, numerous speculative news items have been published in the Greek Cypriot press. One of these news items puts forward that it was decided during the said meeting that the comprehensive settlement negotiations will start in September. During the meeting of the two leaders, the issue concerning the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations has been discussed and President Mr. Talat has once again conveyed to Mr. Christofias that we, as the Turkish Cypriot side, are ready to start the negotiations. However, the Greek Cypriot side has insisted on the idea of evaluating the works of the Working Groups. As a result of this disagreement, the two leaders have decided to have another evaluation meeting in the second half of June. The Turkish Cypriot side maintains its position that it is possible to relaunch the negotiations in the second half of June. We will be inviting the Greek Cypriot side to put forward an encouraging position regarding the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, it should be stated that we would like to see that this discussion in the Greek Cypriot side is concluded as soon as possible and the Greek Cypriot side fully participates to the negotiation process.

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