News from Turkey on the TRNC

Statement by the Presidential Press Office

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Expresses Strong Support for Proposals Tabled by the Turkish Cypriot Side

Republic of Turkey

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Press and Information Office

9 January 2010

The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds to a question:

“In the course of comprehensive solution negotiations, which have been continuing since September 2008 in Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey, especially in recent months, have put forward a series of constructive initiatives and openings including a proposal by our Prime Minister to hold a quadripartite meeting with the participation of Turkey, Greece and the two sides on the island. All these proposals and initiatives were aimed at speeding up the process in a manner to yield results. The Special Advisor to the Secretary General, Mr. Downer, has personally confirmed that the proposals by the Turkish Cypriot side are in line with UN parameters.

The Turkish Cypriot side has lastly tabled a package of proposals with the aim of finalising the topic of Governance and Power Sharing, and drawing near to the goal of reaching a comprehensive solution. This package of proposals is an important opening. This proposal, which once again proves Turkish Cypriot side’s sincerity in its aim to reach a just and lasting comprehensive solution as soon as possible, constitutes a balanced whole.

Turkey, as a guarantor in Cyprus and as a motherland, and in accordance with the goal of reaching a comprehensive solution that would greatly contribute to a cooperation of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, fully supports the constructive attitude of TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat in the negotiations. This latest proposal by the Turkish Cypriot side is a very important opening aimed at reaching a comprehensive solution following the intensive talks in January.

The aim of the Turkish side is to reach a just and lasting comprehensive solution in the coming months. The necessary base and material are at hand. Provided that all relevant parties put forward the necessary political will, we believe that it is possible to establish a federation based on political equality and bizonality, and with a Turkish Cypriot and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State of equal status as the leaders agreed to in their joint statement of 23 May 2008 as soon as possible. In accordance with this goal, close consultations with the Turkish Cypriot side will continue from today on, as they have until now.”