- Özersay: We should not be trapped in vicious negotiation processes with word games …
- Özersay received by Akıncı prior to Ankara visit …
- Guterres: “Prospects of talks remain alive” …
Özersay: We should not be trapped in vicious negotiation processes with word games
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay made a statement to Turkish News Agency regarding the concept of a loose federation which was brought to the agenda by the Greek Cypriot leadership.
In his statement, Özersay mentioned that the Greek Cypriot leadership might be trying to imprison the Turkish Cypriot side and the United Nations in the same vicious and fruitless negotiation process, with a loose federation concept that will essentially not change much at all.
“Any idea could be unofficially discussed however if we were deceived by a loose federation or similar wordplay in the presence of the UN we might fall into the trap of resuming the negotiations from where they left off. Therefore, the Turkish Cypriot side should be careful on this” he said.
“If the Greek Cypriot side try to ignore the effective participation of Turkish Cypriots in decisions and the rotating presidency then its efforts are useless. It is a waste of time to negotiate a share-based partnership without a mentality change” Özersay added.
“The origin of the problem is the Greek Cypriot leadership’s denial to share the governance and richness with us. In fact, the federation is a model which is based on the sharing of governance and richness.
If they cannot overcome their problem of not sharing, in other words if they cannot make a change in their mentality then there is no meaning in insisting on a share-based model. The Greek Cypriot leadership first used the concept of loose federation and then stressed that through this model less participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the decision making process will be possible. In summary, it’s been said that “let’s give less authority to the federal state and you should compromise on effective participation in the decision making which is a sine qua non for the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people. Of course this is not possible and it is trickery” Özersay said.
Özersay received by Akıncı prior to Ankara visit
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay was received by President Mustafa Akıncı prior to his Ankara visit between the dates 15-17 October 2018 as a guest of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. During the meeting, Akıncı and Özersay discussed the latest developments in Cyprus and they exchanged views.
Within the framework of his Ankara visit, Özersay will discuss opportunities for further developing the close cooperation with Turkey, and the latest developments in Cyprus.
Furthermore, Özersay will inform the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey about “TRNC and Regional Developments”. Özersay will also meet with Minister of National Defence, Hulusi Akar, and attend the opening of a symposium on the issue of “Law and Policy in the Eastern Mediterranean” at Ankara University with Turkish Minister Çavuşoğlu.
Guterres: “Prospects of talks remain alive”
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed in his Cyprus report to the UN Security Council that prospects for a comprehensive settlement on the Island are still alive.
Guterres delivered the report to the UN Security Council following an investigation by his special temporary envoy Jane Holl Lute on the prospects of re-launch of talks on the Cyprus problem. Guterres made an evaluation that he believes that prospects for a comprehensive settlement between the communities on the island remain alive.
He also added that all Cypriots deserve a common future that one thing alone can bring: a lasting agreement achieved within a clear horizon.
He also referred to natural resources found in and around Cyprus, which, he said, “should benefit both communities and should provide a strong incentive for all concerned parties to work in earnest towards a mutually acceptable and durable solution.”
The report will be discussed at the UN Security Council on October 30th.
