STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ASSOC. PROF. TURGAY AVCI

The assessments over the Cyprus issue covered in the Progress Report and Strategic Document prepared by the European Union Commission on Turkey, which was published on 6 November 2007, do not reflect the realities on the island as well as the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side. Particularly, the lack of reference to the inhumane isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people as desired, stands out as a serious and significant shortcoming.

The lack of reference in the aforementioned report to the fact that the Direct Trade Regulation, which has been prepared in accordance with the decision adopted by the EU on 26 April 2004 for the lifting of isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people is still pending due to the Greek Cypriot obstructions, is an unacceptable approach. Additionally, it was openly stated in the report prepared a short while ago by the EU Commission concerning the Green Line Regulation that the trade between the two sides is being prevented by the Greek Cypriot side.  However, it is beyond comprehension that this issue is not mentioned in the report prepared by the Commission.

We consider it useful to emphasize once again that Turkey’s EU membership process and the Cyprus issue are two separate issues. By exploiting Turkey’s membership process, the Greek Cypriot leadership strives to gain unilateral concessions. It is of great importance not to give credit to this approach of the Greek Cypriot administration as it may undermine long lasting EU-Turkey relations. The new openings put forward by the Turkish Republic, in particular its Action Plan dated January 2006, should be considered as positive initiatives put forward to overcome the existing difficulties and create new opportunities.

Commission’s “call for both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides to step up their efforts in order to resume the negotiations” is an approach which contravenes the realities and oversteps the limits of justice. Notwithstanding the constructive proposals put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side during the meeting between the two leaders on 5 September 2007, the adoption of such an approach is questionable. The Turkish Cypriot side proposed to resume the fully fledged negotiations after a preparation period not exceeding two or two and a half months  and find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue until 2008. At this juncture, considering the Turkish Cypriot side which has put forward constructive proposals, on the same footing with the Greek Cypriot administration, is the clear indication of the fact that the EU is continuing to pursue pro-Greek Cypriot policies.

On this occasion, we as the Turkish Cypriot side would like to state yet again that we continue to support the resumption of the comprehensive negotiations within the framework of the good offices mission of the UN Secretary General in order to reach an agreement in Cyprus.

9 November 2007, Lefkoşa.