6.09.2009

News from the TRNC

Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Hasan Ercakica

As the negotiation process aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem is maintained, the Greek Cypriot side has announced that they are making preparations for December 2009 which is the time the EU membership process of Turkey will be evaluated.

Greek Cypriot authorities and primarily Mr. Demetris Christofias have stated that they are working on different scenarios as preparation for December 2009 and that Turkey will find the Greek Cypriot side in front of her “at every step of her membership process”.

The Greek Cypriot authorities personally stated that almost all of their frequent visits abroad are part of the said preparations and that, instead of spending efforts to improve their relations with the world, the Greek Cypriot side strives to hinder the exercise of the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people by exploiting the EU membership process of Turkey.

It is observed that in the negotiation process aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem there have been positive developments as well as negative ones. It has also been seen that the Greek Cypriot side have brought unprecedented ideas to the negotiation table and, most important of all, have not been concentrating on the negotiation process enough.

The reason behind this stance is the fact that the Greek Cypriot side, instead of trying to achieve results from the negotiation process, try to achieve results that are advantageous for them by exploiting the EU membership process of Turkey. While those, who have views and criticisms that the negotiation process is not productive enough, ponder on the reasons of this, they should take this stance of the Greek Cypriot side into consideration as well as the real direction of their efforts in the international arena and the content of their statements.

Turkish Cypriot side is in favor of finding an urgent and just solution for the Cyprus problem through negotiations. We have proven our sincerity on the matter on various occasions. It was President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat who made sacrifices on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot side so as to commence the negotiation process. We are doing our share of what has to be done for the negotiation process to continue in a productive manner and pay utmost attention to keep the views we present at the negotiation table within the framework of the established UN parameters.

Those who wish to achieve results from the negotiation process within the framework of the natural timetables that are now accepted by everyone should take these elements into consideration carefully.

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