Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Hasan Ercakica
The recent developments, that have been witnessed both within the UN and the EU, have been informative in terms of indicating what the real purpose of the Greek Cypriot side is in maintaining its international relations and for which purposes it exploits these relations.
When the issue of providing support to the ongoing negotiations that are aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and are being maintained directly by the two leaders has come up in the meeting held by the UN Security Council regarding the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP, efforts have been spent by the Greek Cypriot side, finding great support of the Russian Federation, to avoid reference to be made to the joint statements by the two leaders.
The efforts by the Greek Cypriot side to eliminate the 23 May 2008 dated agreement establishing the equal status of two constituent states should be, at the same time, perceived as efforts that hinder reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. Settlement of the Cyprus problem will be found via the agreements reached. Striving to eliminate or erode these agreements is synonymous with leaving the Cyprus problem unresolved.
Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot side has been doing its best to link the settlement of the Cyprus problem with the EU membership process of Turkey. The fact that the positions reflecting the demands of the Greek Cypriot side have been included in the decision regarding Turkey taken by the European Council which has convened last week in Brussels, the eagerness of the Greek Cypriot side to include these positions in the decision of the Council, the fact that in the end the Greek Cypriot side has expressed their gratitude to France who supported this stance of theirs and the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side to render the relations between Turkey and the EU a victim of the Cyprus problem, are nothing but initiatives taken to have the settlement of the Cyprus problem postponed.
Despite these initiatives by the Greek Cypriot side, the fact that the Foreign Minister of Turkey demanded a timetable for the settlement of the Cyprus problem and mentioned that arbitration of the UN Secretary – General would be necessary for the issues no agreement could be reached on, during the luncheon he hosted yesterday in Ankara for the ambassadors of the EU countries, should be accepted as a sign that Turkey is keen to reach a solution and that they are even ready to take risks.
The fact that those who demand a time table for a settlement as well as arbitration are accused of leaving the Cyprus problem unresolved or as being the ones who allowed the Cyprus problem become the hostage of the EU membership process of Turkey is an approach that is not only illogical but it also lacks good faith.
The recent developments, that have been witnessed both within the UN and the EU, have been informative in terms of indicating what the real purpose of the Greek Cypriot side is in maintaining its international relations and for which purposes it exploits these relations.
When the issue of providing support to the ongoing negotiations that are aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and are being maintained directly by the two leaders has come up in the meeting held by the UN Security Council regarding the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP, efforts have been spent by the Greek Cypriot side, finding great support of the Russian Federation, to avoid reference to be made to the joint statements by the two leaders.
The efforts by the Greek Cypriot side to eliminate the 23 May 2008 dated agreement establishing the equal status of two constituent states should be, at the same time, perceived as efforts that hinder reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. Settlement of the Cyprus problem will be found via the agreements reached. Striving to eliminate or erode these agreements is synonymous with leaving the Cyprus problem unresolved.
Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot side has been doing its best to link the settlement of the Cyprus problem with the EU membership process of Turkey. The fact that the positions reflecting the demands of the Greek Cypriot side have been included in the decision regarding Turkey taken by the European Council which has convened last week in Brussels, the eagerness of the Greek Cypriot side to include these positions in the decision of the Council, the fact that in the end the Greek Cypriot side has expressed their gratitude to France who supported this stance of theirs and the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side to render the relations between Turkey and the EU a victim of the Cyprus problem, are nothing but initiatives taken to have the settlement of the Cyprus problem postponed.
Despite these initiatives by the Greek Cypriot side, the fact that the Foreign Minister of Turkey demanded a timetable for the settlement of the Cyprus problem and mentioned that arbitration of the UN Secretary – General would be necessary for the issues no agreement could be reached on, during the luncheon he hosted yesterday in Ankara for the ambassadors of the EU countries, should be accepted as a sign that Turkey is keen to reach a solution and that they are even ready to take risks.
The fact that those who demand a time table for a settlement as well as arbitration are accused of leaving the Cyprus problem unresolved or as being the ones who allowed the Cyprus problem become the hostage of the EU membership process of Turkey is an approach that is not only illogical but it also lacks good faith.
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