TRNC News 5.1.2017 Ozgurgun: Cyprus negotiations, if no result, we will have a Plan B

Özgürgün: “If there is no result in the Cyprus negotiations we will have a Plan B”

Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün said that if there is no result in the Cyprus negotiations, then there will be a Plan B for the Turkish Cypriots.   “We are not at a dead-end; there will be a path forward” he stated.

Answering questions from Haber Türk TV related to the Cyprus negotiations process, Özgürgün said that the sides are not ready for the negotiations to start on 9 January in Geneva.

“We do not bargain the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ territory” Özgürgün said, before adding that there are “serious differences between the two sides.”

Prime Minister Özgürgün said that most of the Turkish Cypriots are aware of the importance of motherland Turkey’s full and effective guarantee. However, he stated that the Greek Cypriot side says that “Turkish soldiers should leave.”

Many things have changed on the island during the 12 years after the referendum for the Annan Plan, Özgürgün said, and “now you cannot say to these people to leave their homes and move to some unspecified location.”

Özgürgün also highlighted that there are some contended points relating to Administration and Power Sharing. “There are serious problems on the issue of equality. There are many issues which are contrary to bi-zonality. These problems have not yet been solved.”

Furthermore, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s conditions at the negotiating table are clear, Özgürgün said that bi-zonality, Turkey’s full and effective guarantee, the existence of the Turkish soldiers on the island and political equality are our sine qua non”.

Akıncı : “This is a historic opportunity for a solution in Cyprus and it shouldn’t be missed”

President Mustafa Akıncı has stated that he expects a positive contribution from everyone in order not to lose this historical opportunity to find a solution in Cyprus.

President Akıncı made the statement after yesterday’s meeting with the Greek Cypriot Leader Nicos Anastasiades. It was the first time Akıncı had met Anastasiades in 2017.

Akıncı stated that they have decided to have a preliminary meeting in Geneva on Sunday night with Anastasiades, ahead of the meetings on Monday 9 January.

Akıncı said that they have confirmed the validity of the agreement reached on 1 December at yesterday’s meeting.

The President also said that there are 8-10 Chapters which should be resolved between 9 –11 January, while territorial adjustments and the map of Cyprus will be discussed between 11 – 12 January. A five party conference with the guarantor powers will take place on 12 January.

President Mustafa Akıncı added that some of the Chapters under discussion may not be finalised by 12 January. However, if the two sides reach a consensus on Property, the Rotating Presidency, the Turkish Cypriots’ role in the decision making processes, and Territory and Security, the meeting will be a great success.

President Akıncı also stated that he will go to Ankara today to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ahead of the Geneva talks.

Yıldırım: “We wish to reach a fair, permanent and comprehensive solution in Cyprus”

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım received CTP Leader Tufan Erhürman for a meeting to discuss relations between Turkey and TRNC and the Cyprus negotiations.

In his reception, Yıldırım said that they put ahead the Turkish Cypriots’ political equality, legal rights and safety and in this regard, they wish to reach a fair, permanent and comprehensive solution in Cyprus.

During the meeting, Yıldırım and Erhürman exchanged views about Turkey’s relations between Turkey and TRNC and the Cyprus negotiation process.

Yıldırım said that Turkey’s support for the TRNC will continue, and that political equality, legal rights and the safety of the Turkish Cypriots are of great importance, as they wish to reach a fair, permanent and comprehensive solution in Cyprus.

Duncan: “The UK fully supports the settlement process and is ready and willing to help in any way it can”

On behalf of the United Kingdom, one of the guarantor countries, Alan Duncan, the British Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, stated that he hopes a solution is within reach and that the negotiations in Geneva will be a success.

“The UK fully supports the settlement process and is ready and willing to help in any way it can” he stated ahead of the meeting.

Duncan organized a press conference before meeting with the Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik at the Ministry.

Duncan said that as part of his visit, he would be holding a series of meetings in support of the Cyprus negotiations.

Duncan later met with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. He also travelled to Athens to meet with the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.

Eide: “Expectations for a solution are better than before”

The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative to Cyprus Espen Barth Eide visited Athens to meet with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kocias.

During the visit, Eide discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations with Kocias, ahead of the Geneva summit.

Following the meeting, Eide stated that the chances of a solution in Cyprus are better than before. While there are some disagreements between the sides, Eide said that they can be solved: “There are controversies regarding guarantees and security. I think that if the two leaders were alone together, the problem would be solved.”

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

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