TRNC News Today 15th January 2015

Çavuşoğlu: “Turkey supports dedicated efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side towards a solution ”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said “we as the motherland and a guarantor country support the efforts spent by the Turkish Cypriot side towards reaching a solution in Cyprus”. Stressing that well-intentioned steps of the Greek Cypriots will positively be responded, Çavuşoğlu said that leaving Turkish Cypriots as the victims of the deadlock or letting them be minority in a Greek Cypriot state is not possible.

Within the framework of his official contacts in the TRNC, Çavuşoğlu was received by President Derviş Eroğlu yesterday. Following the meeting, at the joint press conference, Çavuşoğlu stated that the Turkish Cypriot side showed the necessary will to reach a solution in the island in a short time however, only Turkish Cypriots’ efforts are not enough to reach a solution .

Stressing that not reacting to the unilateral activities of the Greek Cypriot side which they have been continuing by disregarding the legal rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots is not possible, Çavuşoğlu said that motherland Turkey and TRNC put forth constructive proposals following Greek Cypriots’ pulling out of the negotiation table.

Çavuşoğlu reminded that these proposals aim at securing the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots as well as enabling the Greek Cypriot side’s return to the negotiation table. He also added that they are working on these proposals with the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus and Greece.

Indicating that efforts and proposals are always carried out with the TRNC, Çavuşoğlu said that the Greek Cypriot side was expected to end its drilling activities after the expiration of the NAVTEX on 30 December 2014, however the Greek Cypriot side continued with its unilateral activities.

Çavuşoğlu said that, on the contrary, the Greek Cypriot side extended the current drilling period and zone, and it became obvious with the Greek Cypriot side’s statement made on 5 January that the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades’ attitude has not changed.

Çavuşoğlu stressed that it is expected from the Greek Cypriot side to abandon their mistake as soon as possible and adopt a clear attitude regarding a new partnership based on two co-owner peoples will and political equality. Çavuşoğlu said “the Greek Cypriot side should return to the negotiation table and should show its sincere efforts towards reaching a lasting solution.”

In his speech, President Derviş Eroğlu said “We are pursuing a policy of peace and conciliation in Cyprus and support a comprehensive solution. We do not have any intention of harming anyone’s interests and rights but we are decided to defend our own rights and interests”.

Cyprus problem is also discussed at Çiçek – Chowdhury meeting

President of Grand National Assembly of Turkey – Cemil Çiçek explained to the President of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Saber Chowdhury that while the Greek Cypriot side has been represented on behalf of the whole island at the international organizations, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is isolated although it pursues peace and put forth its will in 2004.

Çiçek received President of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Saber Chowdhury and his delegation. At the meeting Çiçek stated that there are two problems before the UN, one of them is Palestine – Israel and the other is the Cyprus problem. Çiçek said “Despite our sincere efforts and desire, peace is not obtained because of the Greek Cypriot side’s uncompromising attitude”. Reminding that TRNC exists in the European Council as an observer member and it participates in the Parliamentary Assembly of Organization of Islamic Cooperation as an observer member, Çiçek said “I ask you to invite President of the TRNC Assembly to the meetings of IPU. This is injustice, the one who wants peace is punished. The ones who put obstacles in front of peace are causing unjust results.”