TRNC News Today 6th March 2014

EROĞLU: “WE ARE IN SEARCH OF AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL PROVIDE TURKISH CYPRIOTS A LIFE IN PEACE AND SAFETY”

TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu emphasized that they are in search of an agreement which will provide Turkish Cypriots a life in peace and safety and said “we don’t have an intention to agree just for the sake of an agreement”

Stating that an agreement can be reached if we sit at the negotiation table with a will for a solution Eroğlu said “We are at the starting phase of the negotiations. I think we can see the future better in the forthcoming days.”

Eroğlu expressed that full and effective guarantee of Turkey should continue for the Turkish Cypriots to live in security in the island and added:

“We are in search of an agreement that Turkish Cypriot people will be pleased and can say ‘our future is on this land’.I hope we can reach an agreement that we desire. What is important is that the other side should be also well-intentioned like us. Otherwise, it will be impossible to reach an agreement”

FOREIGN MINISTER NAMI: “IT’S TIME FOR FINDING A SOLUTION”

In an interview with Gerd Höhler from Handelsblatt Online, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami said that the plan prepared by the then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in 2004 failed as a result of the Greek Cypriots’ refusal, but now, it is time for finding a solution to  the Cyprus problem with the resumption of negotiations.

Stating that due to the uncertainty regarding the Cyprus problem many issues are unfruitful and a great part of resources have been wasted; Foreign Minister Nami said that all these factors are not rational and constructive in terms of investments.

Nami pointed out that Greek Cypriots will need at least 10 or 20 years to reach their previous life standards under normal conditions. Solution of the Cyprus problem can create a great development in the economy and both sides will benefit from a solution. Economic potential of a United Cyprus will be greater than the potential of two separate sides and great synergies will come out.

Minister Nami stated that since the Greek Cypriots are suffering from the economic crisis they should be interested in an agreement. Nami expressed that drinking water pipelines can be laid between Cyprus which has chronic water shortage and Turkey’s water-rich areas, and added that the Greek Cypriots can also benefit from the power lines planned to be installed between Turkey and Cyprus.

Nami pointed out that the guidelines of the solution have already been determined in the joint statement which was negotiated in the last 4 months by the two sides and he added that the joint statement forms the basis of the continuing negotiations which is a federation consisting of two States. Nami expressed that common citizenship of two communities, outside representation of the common citizenship and other constitutional issues are considerably elucidated.

Stating: “The remaining issues are only technical issues that can be solved” Nami added that the negotiations can be finalized in five to six months provided that they were determined and realistic. The Minister drew attention that the negotiations should also be supported by the confidence building measures which will ease the daily life of people.

Nami said that the greatest obstacles in front of the negotiations are the old experiences, disappointments after unsuccessful initiatives for a compromise and the lack of confidence in both sides. Indicating that these are psychological rather than real obstacles Nami said: “I don’t want to exaggerate these because economic arguments in favour of a solution are gradually becoming more convincing.”

Nami also said that religious leaders’ coming together and giving support for the negotiations was also an historical step and indicated that especially the Greek Orthodox Church has followed an extremely nationalist policy until today.

Nami said: “We should get rid of fears of the past, look to the future and trust our common future as German and French people did after the Second World War.” Nami pointed out that due to crisis and difficulties in Europe sometimes they forget that above all the EU is a peace project and Cyprus wants to be a part of it.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office