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

The newly appointed Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou has made a  statement  regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus issue which was published  in the Greek Cypriot daily Haravgi in the weekend. We would like to emphasize with deep regret that such unfortunate statements  made by Markos Kyprianou on the Cyprus issue has not contributed to the positive atmosphere tried to be created both on the island and in the international community. Particularly, his unfounded allegations to the effect that Turkey has acknowledged that the Annan Plan is no longer on the agenda, clearly demonstrate his point of view on the Cyprus issue and his stance to be adopted during the negotiation process expected to resume.

On  one hand, Kyprianou mentions about a federation but on the other  still considers Republic of Turkey as their sole collocutor and strives to disregard the Turkish Cypriot side which is the partner of the federation that he claims to support.  It can be understood that the real matter for the Greek Cypriot Minister is not the stance of the Republic of Turkey on the Annan Plan but solving the Cyprus issue together with Turkey.

Apart from the fact that he does not allow anything to be said against Papadopoulos while making assessments regarding the non-settlement, his remark to the effect that the election of Christofias would not change the fundamental views of the Greek Cypriot side, is really disappointing.  Our expectation is that the elections in South will lead to concrete developments rather than being a cosmetic move.

It is our most natural right to expect from the new administration which came to power in South Cyprus to immediately get rid of this mentality and consider the institutions established with the democratic will of the Turkish Cypriot people as their collocutor. What   Kiprianou should consider is not Turkey’s  views on Annan Plan, Cyprus issue and other issues but the views of the Turkish Cypriot side which he will establish a partnership together in the future.

The awkward Greek Cypriot policy disregarding the Turkish Cypriot side, has not contributed to the efforts to achieve a settlement and peace on the island up until today. It will not be possible to achieve a settlement in the event of insisting on this policy. We hope that this will be comprehended very well by the Greek Cypriot leadership.

10 March 2008, Lefkoşa.