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

The remarks made by the Greek Cypriot administration’s  newly appointed Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou during an interview with a Greek Cypriot daily that in the event of the resumption of the comprehensive negotiations he does not foresee a settlement by the end of 2008, affirm our concerns that the Greek Cypriot side has no intention to find a settlement. Despite the fact that all the  relevant circles have accepted the end of 2008 as a reasonable period of time for the conclusion of  negotiations between the parties, the stance displayed in the statements of the authorities of the Christofias’ administration, is really disappointing.

The recent statements made  by Kyprianou have once again confirmed that present Greek Cypriot administration shares same views as its predecessor. As can be understood from the statements of Kyprianou, the Greek Cypriot side has not adopted yet the view of reaching a settlement in 2008.

Kyprianou’s views put forward during his contacts with his foreign counterparts are unfortunately in the same direction. This approach does not contribute to create an environment that promotes confidence which is of vital importance for achieving a settlement, but instead further deepens the crisis of confidence.

The Greek Cypriot leadership’s statements regarding the 8 July process also reveals that this administration is not willing for a settlement within the framework of the UN parameters and that it continues to consider this process as a goal but not as a means.

It is evident that the open ended negotiation process envisaged by the Greek Cypriot side will further solidify the non-settlement on the island. It can be understood that, the real intention of the Greek Cypriot administration, which was unilaterally accepted to the European Union by using the advantage of the so-called title of “Republic of Cyprus” which it usurped illegally with force of arms,  is to ensure that the Turkish Cypriot people enter an economic and social impasse by prolonging the negotiation process and imposing isolations.

It should be known that the Turkish Cypriot side will never allow this to happen.  The Turkish Cypriot side is always ready for a new partnership on the basis of the political equality of the two peoples, bi-zonality, the equal status of the founding states and Turkey’s effective guarantee. To this end, it has already been displaying the necessary good will and will continue to do so. The Turkish Cypriot people still considers achieving a settlement in Cyprus as the best alternative. However, it is a reality that we cannot wait forever for the Greek Cypriot side to change its negative stance. The Greek Cypriot leadership should not be mistaken that the Turkish Cypriots have not other alternatives in the political arena.

12 March 2008, Lefkoşa.