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The Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus;

Underlining the full political and legal equality of the Turkish Cypriot people in determining the future of Cyprus, as confirmed and enshrined in international treaties.

Reiterating that Turkey recognizes the TRNC as a sovereign and independent state.

Believing in the need for the two people of the island to live side by side in mutual respect, peace, security and cooperation.

Recalling that a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus question could be achieved through negotiations between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot peoples.

Reiterating the continued validity of the system of guarantees as established by the 1960 Treaties.

Have decided as follows:

1. The ultimate aim in Cyprus is the achievement of a bi-communal and bi-zonal federal settlement, based on the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides. The settlement to be reached shall be submitted to the two peoples in separate referenda in order to enable them to reflect their free will.

2. The full and effective guarantee of Turkey will continue under the Treaties of Guarantee and Alliance of 1960 following a final political settlement.

3. The EU membership of Cyprus can be taken up in discussions once the final political settlement is reached. However, it should be borne in mind that, as stipulated by the 1959 Zurich and London Agreements, Cyprus cannot join international political and economic unions to which Turkey and Greece are not members.

4. The objective of EU membership will be taken into consideration during the intercommunal talks conducted under the auspices of the UN; and after the two sides agreed on fundamental issues such as sovereign equality, they could begin to discuss, as a separate topic, the conditions of EU membership for Cyprus.

5. Accession talks with the EU should be carried out only after the final settlement, within the framework of the common positions to be agreed upon by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides and with the participation of a joint delegation.

6. Until the final settlement, as before and after it, Turkey will continue fully to ensure the security of the TRNC and shall take all necessary counter measures against the ongoing Greek/Greek Cypriot attempts of military escalation.

7. The two sides confirm that the Customs Union between Turkey and EU does not include any provision that hinders commercial and economic relations between Turkey and the TRNC. Incentive and support measures designed to promote trade and economic relations as well as bilateral investments between Turkey and the TRNC will be maintained.

8. With a view to promoting trade and economic relations between Turkey and the TRNC, the opportunities provided by the Customs Union between Turkey and EU will be put to use to the fullest extent possible.

9. Taking into account that after a political settlement the federal Cyprus can join the EU only simultaneously with Turkey’s accession, it is decided to initiate the preparations which will facilitate harmonization with the EU and gradually implement them.

10. Turkey and the TRNC will make joint efforts to ensure the lifting of all restrictions imposed on the TRNC in the international arena with a view to providing unhindered political, economic, cultural and sportive ties between the TRNC and third countries, pending a political settlement.

11. Turkey will make its political contribution in order to enable the TRNC to express its views in international organizations. To this end, the existing close cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and the TRNC will be intensified and a permanent consultation mechanism will be established.

12. The two sides will achieve these basic objectives in due course through intensifying high level visits and contacts as well as joint technical work.

The President of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Recalling their Joint Declaration issued on 28 December 1995;

Reaffirming their desire and determination to develop in a spirit of full solidarity and cooperation, the relations between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in all fields;

Recalling that Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have spent every effort for the finding of a peaceful solution to the Cyprus question and that a just and realistic settlement in Cyprus can only be achieved through negotiations based on the free will of the two parties;

Emphasizing the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people emanating from international agreements and their political and legal equality stipulated by these agreements;

Reaffirming that the system of guarantee established by the 1960 Treaties will continue to be valid and in force under all circumstances as it has been up to now and that under these treaties no threat can be directed at any of the guarantor powers;

Reviewing the latest developments which have threatened peace, security and stability in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean:

Announce the following joint views and decisions:

1. The continuing intensive military build-up by the Greek Cypriot side, the "Joint Defense Doctrine" between Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration and the construction of air force and navy bases for Greece in southern Cyprus have created a situation which threatens stability and security in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean.

2. The decision to deploy missile systems in Southern Cyprus has aggravated the crisis of confidence between the two peoples of the island to such an extent that reconciliation has become extremely difficult.

3. The claim that these missiles have a defensive purpose and the so-called "assurances" to the effect that they will not be deployed in the island for some time are meaningless. The point to be borne in mind is that the joint Greek-Greek Cypriot front, despite all warnings, has turned its back on reconciliation and opted for conflict as its priority objective, forming a de facto military alliance between Greece and Southern Cyprus.

4. Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, without loosing sight of a responsible, common-sense approach, will take the necessary measures, in order to preserve the balance in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, and to render ineffective policies which threaten the peace in the region.

In this context:

- The Republic of Turkey, in accordance with the 1960 system of guarantees will continue to provide full effective guarantee to the Turkish Cypriot people and will not let the security of the Turkish Cypriots come under threat.

- Any attack against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be considered as an attack against the Republic of Turkey.

- In the event that the joint Greek-Greek Cypriot front continues its endeavors to alter the balance between Turkey and Greece in Cyprus or in the region, and to endanger the security of the Turkish Cypriot people, reciprocal military and political measures will continue to be put into effect without hesitation. Within this framework, Turkey strongly supports the views put forward and measures envisaged by the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, H.E. Mr. Rauf Denktaş in the statement he made on 10 January 1997.

- In view of the fact that with air force and navy bases, Greece is entrenching itself in Southern Cyprus, and in the event that such activity continues, work will commence to establish in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus similar air force and naval facilities.

Any aggression or faite accompli directed against Turkey or the TRNC will be jointly confronted, and the military planing and coordination necessary for this will be done. To this end, a joint military concept between Turkey and the TRNC will be established.

5. Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus consider the activities and provocation planned and carried out by the joint Greek-Greek Cypriot front in order to escalate tension in Cyprus as part of its efforts to dilute Turkey’s effective guarantees by bringing in a multinational force. This shall not be allowed. In the event that an attempt is made to alter either directly or indirectly the Treaties of Guarantee and of Alliance, the Turkish side will consider it as a flagrant violation of the 1960 Treaties and will take the necessary measures and political decisions.

6. The efforts for the finding of a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus question reached an impasse about five years ago because of the Greek Cypriot side’s rejection of the UN Set of Ideas, while the efforts to establish confidence between the two peoples of the Island came to a deadlock about three years ago due to the other side’s rejection of the Confidence-Building Measures (CBM) package. During the time that has since elapsed, the Greek Cypriot side has totally distanced itself from the parameters of a reasonable solution.

7. It will be seen that the Greek Cypriot side, together with Greece has been seeking tension and conflict, rather than reconciliation.

8. Ever since 1963 when the Greek Cypriots, with the support of Greece destroyed by force of arms the partnership which had been established between the two peoples under the 1960 Agreements, there has been no joint state, government, parliament judiciary or administration competent to represent the two equal peoples and speak on behalf of the island as a whole.

9. The claim of the Greek Cypriot administration in the south of the island to the title and privileges of the 1960 partnership, which itself had destroyed by its own aggression as well as all those deeds and actions including the purchase of weaponry, are illegal under international treaties. This claim utilized by the Greek Cypriot administration in presenting itself to the outside world cannot confer upon it any legitimacy. The administration in South Cyprus which attempts to introduce itself under the banner of the "Republic of Cyprus" is factually a Greek Cypriot administration. At the root of the lack of a solution to the Cyprus question in the last 34 years are the Greek Cypriot side’s efforts to perpetuate its illegal title and claims.

10. So long as these facts, realities and the sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriot people are not recognized and the two sides are not treated in an equal manner, the achievement of a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus will not be in reach.

11. The point that has been reached shows that the green light given by the E.U. as a result of the pressures exerted by Greece to the full membership of the Greek Cypriot administration in the Union constitutes a historic error which has had a destructive effect on the negotiating process. The Greek Cypriot side has no other interest than entering the European Union as a second Greek state and thus achieving an indirect integration with Greece, without having to seek a settlement with the Turkish side in Cyprus.

12. To ensure that this wrong track does not lead to further damages, it must be made known that:

- Under International Treaties Cyprus can only become a member of a union of which Turkey and Greece are both members.

- The membership of Cyprus in the EU can only be entertained after a settlement.

- The two peoples of the island have to approve such a decision through separate referenda as foreseen in the UN Set of Ideas.

- The Turkish side will consider the start of accession negotiations between the Greek Cypriot administration and the EU based on the unilateral application of the Greek Cypriot side for full membership in contravention of international law as the complete abolition of the framework and parameters for a solution which have emerged during the negotiating process in Cyprus. Each and every unilateral step to be taken by the Greek Cypriot Administration towards the EU membership will accelerate the integration process between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

13. The continued isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus from the international community cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Turkey will take the necessary steps to ensure the integration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with the international community. TRNC Representatives will be included in the ranks of the Turkish Delegations which attend any international meeting concerning Cyprus where the Turkish Cypriot people do not have a voice.

14. Economic relations between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be expanded within the framework of the comprehensive Economic Protocol signed on 3 January 1997 at the Prime Ministerial level and the TRNC economy will be strengthened through specific cooperation projects.

15. The standing political consultation mechanism instituted by the 28 December 1995 Declaration issued by the Presidents of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be expanded so as to include defense issues, and the existing solidarity between the two sides will be strengthened.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly,

Declaring that it adopts and endorses the Joint Declaration signed by the President of the Republic of Turkey H.E. Mr. Süleyman Demirel and the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus H.E. Mr. Rauf R. Denktaş, in Ankara, on 20 January 1997.

Welcoming with appreciation and respect, the address made today by the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus H.E. Mr. Rauf R. Denktaş, to the Plenary Session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly,

Has resolved to announce the following to Turkish and international public opinion:

1. The continuing intensive military build-up by the Greek Cypriot side, pursued with the encouragement and support of Greece, has reached a new dimension with the protocol concerning the deployment of Russian missiles on the Island. It is not possible to tolerate the conduct and behavior of the Greek/Greek Cypriot side, aimed at threatening the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey.

2. The guarantee system established by the 1960 Treaties of Guarantee and of Alliance, continue to remain in full force as hitherto. Any modification of these Treaties directly or indirectly which would upset the existing balance in Cyprus and in the region between Turkey and Greece will not be allowed.

3. The Republic of Turkey will continue to exercise its effective guarantee in Cyprus. Any aggression against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be considered as an aggression against the Republic of Turkey.

4. The unilateral application of the Greek Cypriot Administration for membership in the European Union is contrary to the 1960 Treaties. The realization of such membership will only pave the way to the division of Cyprus and the responsibility will belong to the European Union.

5. The embargo and double standard applied towards the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus can in no way be accepted.

6. Turkey will continue to provide the necessary support to overcome the economic problems of the TRNC and to strengthen its economic infrastructure.

7. The Turkish Grand National Assembly believes that the Cyprus issue can be solved not through rearmament efforts and use of force but by respecting the rights of the two peoples living on the Island to establish their own administration through their own true will.

Experience has shown that outside interventions make a solution more difficult.

The world must know the fact that the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Turkish Nation are in a full unity on this national cause.

In line with the objective of achieving integration between the two countries in the economic and financial fields as well as achieving partial integration in matters of security, defense and foreign affairs, on the basis of association, which found expression in the Joint Declaration of 20 January, 1997 and 20 July, 1997, respectively, the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus agree on the following:

An Association Council shall be established between the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The Association Council shall determine the measures to be taken with the aim of achieving integration between the two countries in the economic and financial fields and achieving partial integration in matters of security, defense and foreign affairs, on the basis of association, shall recommend the implementation of these measures to their Governments and shall monitor their implementations.

The Association Council shall take its decisions, which shall be of and advisory nature, by concurrence.

The Association Council shall be composed of five members to be appointed by the Government of the Republic of Turkey and five members by the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and five members from the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey and five members from the Legislative Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Depending of the nature of the subjects to be taken up, appropriate experts my also take part in the meetings of the Association Council.

Unless decided otherwise, the Association Council shall meet at least once every six months.

The Association Council shall have the power to establish such sub-committees that it deems necessary.

If the Association Council deems it necessary, it may also hold meetings at the level of experts.

The governments of the two countries shall determine which government members will take part in the meetings of the Association Council. The members of parliament who will take part shall be determined by the Assembly Presidency of the two countries.

The Association Council shall hold its meetings in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on a rotation basis. The Presidency of the Council shall also rotate between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on a six-monthly basis.

The chairman of the meetings shall determine the agenda of the meetings of the Association Council; notify the other side 15 days in advance; prepare the minutes of the meetings; and transmit them to the other side.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus shall provide the Secretariat services at the meetings of the Association Council.

This Agreement shall enter into force upon the completion of the ratification process and exchange of the documents of ratification.

The original of this agreement was signed in Turkish in Lefkoşa on 6 August, 1997.

At its Luxembourg Summit that took place on 12-13 December 1997, the European Council has taken a decision regarding the commencement of accession negotiations with "Cyprus". This decision violates the basic rights of the Turkish Cypriot people who are one of the two co-founding partners of a "sui generis" Republic, based on the internal and external balances established by international Treaties of 1960 signed by the five parties. The unilateral and unlawful application made by the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus in 1990 is aimed at achieving its political aspirations and establishing a solely Greek Cypriot state in Cyprus. The decision taken by the EU Council, on the basis of this application by the Greek Cypriot side, is as much a violation of the equal political and sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriot side emanating from the 1960 Agreements, as it is a denial of the parameters and realities accepted by the United Nations. Furthermore, this decision has rendered meaningless the efforts being carried out by the UN Secretary-General within his mission of good-offices. Therefore, this decision taken on this basis of the said application is not valid or binding on the Turkish Cypriot side.

As is known, the Zurich and London Agreements, which had established the 1960 partnership Republic, were founded on a balance between Turkey and Greece for the solution of the Cyprus question and prohibited the membership of "Cyprus" in international organizations, unions and pacts of alliance in which both Turkey and Greece are not members. In this connection, Point 8 of the Zurich Agreement has clearly indicated that the President and the Vice-President had the right of veto on any decision or action concerning "the participation of the Republic of Cyprus in international organizations and pacts of alliance in which Greece and Turkey" do not both participate. On the other hand, Article 1 of the Treaty of Guarantee of 1960 states that Cyprus "undertakes not to participate in whole or in part in any political or economic union with any State whatsoever". The intention behind this Article is the maintenance of a sustainable balance between the rights and interests of the two co-founding communities and Guarantors over Cyprus.

The Greek Cypriot side, in order to remove the internal and external balance established by the 1960 Agreements, destroyed the partnership by force of arms in 1963. Since then there has not been a joint administration in Cyprus, and the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities have lived under their own democratically elected separate administrations. It is an undisputable fact that the Greek Cypriot administration has never exercised sovereignty over the whole of Cyprus or the Turkish Cypriot people. In sum, there is no joint administration enjoying the mandate of both peoples and capable of speaking for both of them, or applying for EU membership and conducting accession negotiations with the EU, on behalf of both peoples or the whole of the island.

EU membership of Cyprus can only be discussed and agreed to after an overall settlement, and upon its approval by the two sides through separate referanda, as envisaged in paragraph 92 of the UN Set of Ideas. Furthermore, agreeing to become a member of the EU while Turkey is not a full member but Greece, which has created and perpetuated the Cyprus question, is, and thus destroying the balance between the two motherlands over Cyprus, is no different than agreeing to an indirect unification of Cyprus with Greece or the establishment of a Greek Cypriot republic in the island. In fact, the Greek Cypriot side is openly declaring that the aim behind its aspirations to become a member of the EU is to transform Cyprus into a second Greek state in the Mediterranean.

From the very beginning, the TRNC opposed the unilateral, unlawful and ill-intentioned application made by the Greek Cypriot administration for full membership to the EU. There exists an undemocratic and unlawful application which is contrary to the 1960 Agreements leading to the independence of Cyprus, as well as the principles of the UN negotiating process. Every step and decision taken on the basis of this application will not be legally and politically binding on the Turkish Cypriot side. The TRNC will not take part in such a process.

The fact that the EU, notwithstanding the above, has chosen to ignore the legal and political realities and the factual situation prevailing in Cyprus and adopted such a decision, is regrettable. With this decision, the EU has dealt a destructive blow to the UN negotiation process and its parameters. The EU will bear the historic responsibility for this action.

The EU, by taking this latest decision despite the above mentioned realities, has only helped destroy the established framework for a settlement in Cyprus which has emerged through the process of intercommunal negotiations. The imbalance that this unjust decision has created in Cyprus, has further reinforced the reasons preventing the successful conclusion of the negotiations. For this reason, future contacts can only be held between the two states in Cyprus. Acting within the context of the Joint Declaration of 20 January 1997, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, in cooperation with Turkey, will take whatever steps necessary in all fields.

The National Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus met in special session today and evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus question. According to this evaluation:

The partnership Republic established in Cyprus in 1960, based on the existence of two equal peoples with separate rights to self-determination, was destroyed in 1963 by force of arms by the Greek Cypriot partner of the Republic in order to convert it into a Greek Cypriot Republic. Since that date, there has not been a joint administration with the right or the authority to represent both peoples or the island as a whole and the legitimacy of the Republic of Cyprus has ceased to exist. The Turkish Cypriot people have ruled themselves since 1963 and protected their basic rights and status; their political equality; their rights to self-determination and sovereignty, provided for by international Treaties as well as the Treaty rights and obligations of motherland Turkey together with the Greco-Turkish balance thus created over Cyprus; as the basic elements of their existence.

The 1960 partnership Republic was destroyed by force of arms by the Greek Cypriot side in 1963. The Turkish Cypriot side which was forcefully ejected from the government, the state authority and the parliament, never recognized the illegal writ of the Greek Cypriot side which had usurped the title of "the government of Cyprus" and, initially setting up its own administration, concluded its institutional development and subsequently established the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus based on the sovereign will of the Turkish Cypriot people. In South Cyprus, a Greek Cypriot administration exists. The attempts of this administration to usurp the title and status of the partnership it has destroyed and to act on behalf of the whole of Cyprus do not confer legitimacy upon it. Indeed, just as the said administration has no right to apply for membership, on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people or the whole of Cyprus, to the European Union or to any other international union or organization or to enter into agreements binding the Turkish Cypriots, the acceptance as legitimate and the processing of such an application and the resulting agreements are totally unacceptable. Furthermore, in accordance with the 1960 Agreements, Cyprus cannot join, in whole or in part, any international union or organization in which Turkey and Greece are not both members. Therefore, the TRNC will not, under any circumstances, take part in the membership process the EU commenced with the Greek Cypriot administration.

The Turkish Cypriot side is determined to show every effort towards establishing and maintaining a peaceful relationship between the two peoples and states on Cyprus. However, the policies pursued by Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration prevent the realization of such a relationship. In fact, the furthering of the unilateral EU membership process by the Greek Cypriot administration contrary to the internal and the external balance created by the 1960 Agreements and accepted as a basic principle in the UN negotiating process as well as its massive militarization campaign carried out under the pretext of strategic cooperation with Greece, coupled with the deployment of S-300 missiles and the opening of a military airbase for Greece in South Cyprus, stand testimony to the adventurous policies of the joint Greek-Greek Cypriot front. The decision of the EU taken at its Luxembourg Summit not only encourages these adventurous Greek-Greek Cypriot policies threatening peace and stability in the region, but has made the framework and the parameters for a solution in Cyprus, established through the negotiating process, totally inapplicable. Thus, the EU Luxembourg decision has created an environment which can easily lead to a new crisis in Cyprus.

Furthermore, the decision of the EU Luxembourg Summit to further the unilateral Greek Cypriot membership process and to exclude guarantor Turkey from the EU expansion process constitutes a historic error which not only denies the Greco-Turkish balance provided for by the 1960 Treaties but contradicts the rule of law and the international agreements on Cyprus.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with its democratic system, Legislative Assembly, government and independent judicial organs is an undeniable fact. The recognition or the non-recognition of this state does not change this reality. Denying this reality, on the other hand, does not serve the efforts for a peaceful solution on the island. It is imperative, therefore, that any future phase of negotiations be based on the reality of the existence of two states in Cyprus and the grave mistake of treating the Greek Cypriot administration as the government of the Turkish Cypriot people be put an end to.

In the light of the situation that has arisen, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, in cooperation with motherland Turkey, will act within the framework of the 20 January 1997 Joint Declaration and 20 July 1997 Joint Statement, and take the steps it deems necessary in all fields in order to protect the sovereign equality and the rights and freedoms of the Turkish Cypriot people, to overcome the inhuman embargoes imposed on the TRNC and to provide for its economic development and prosperity.

The Turkish Cypriot people have always been for the establishment of relations based on peace, stability, mutual respect and cooperation. In the same understanding, the Turkish Cypriot people believe that the negotiations that could be conducted between the two peoples and states in Cyprus can be aimed at the maintenance of peace and the solution of the basic issues of conflict between them.

The National Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus draws the attention of the international community to the foregoing points, with the aim of maintaining peace and stability in Cyprus and the region.

The Association Council Agreement signed between the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on 6 August 1997 envisaged the establishment, on the basis of sovereign equality and partnership, of an Association Council in order to determine the measures aimed at deepening the existing cooperation and solidarity between the two countries in fields of foreign policy, security, defense and economy and finance; to advise their governments on the implementation of these measures and; to monitor their implementation. The Association Council, established within the framework of this Agreement, held its first meeting in Ankara on 31 March 1998.

The following delegations participated in the Association Council meeting on behalf of the Governments and the Parliaments of the two countries:

H.E. Prof. Dr. Şükrü Gürel Minister of State

H.E. Mr. Güneş Taner Minister of State

H.E. Mr. Işın Çelebi Minister of State

H.E. Mr. Ismail Cem Minister of Foreign Affairs

H.E. Mr. Necdet Menzir Minister of Communication

Mr. Mümtaz Soysal Member of the Parliament (DSB, Zonguldak)

Mr. Demir Berberoğlu Member of the Parliament (ANAP, Eskişehir)

Mr. Algan Hacaoğlu Member of the Parliament (CHP, İstanbul)

Mr. Hüseyin Arı Member of the Parliament (Fazilet Partisi, Konya)

Mr. Ünal Erkan Member of the Parliament (DYP, Ankara)

H.E. Mr. Taner Etkin Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense

H.E. Mr. Salih Coşar Minister of Finance

H.E. Mr. Erdal Onurhan Minister of Economy

H.E. Mr. Ilkay Kamil Minister of Interior and Rural Affairs

H.E. Mr. Mehmet Bayram Minister of Communication and Works

Mrs. Onur Borman Member of the Parliament

Mr. Kenan Atakol Member of the Parliament

Mr. Irsen Küçük Member of the Parliament

Mr. Hüseyin Celal Member of the Parliament

Mr. Mehmet Emin Karagil Member of the Parliament

At the Association Council meeting, the parties reviewed the recent developments pertaining to the Cyprus question; exchanged views on the joint approach to be adopted; determining the measures to be taken towards deepening of their partnership relations; decided on the following:

1. The policy of tension and escalation pursued by the Greek-Greek Cypriot front continues to threaten peace, stability and security in the island of Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this context, the massive arms-build up, the construction of air force and navy bases and the planned deployment of missiles on the island have had a serious destructive effect on regional stability. The integration process concluded between the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus and Greece, in the military and economic fields is today being finalized in the political fields as well with the commencement of the accession negotiations between the European Union and the Greek Cypriot administration.

2. The opening, by the European Union, of the accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot administration in spite of the 1959-1960 Agreements concerning Cyprus constitutes a serious violation of international law. With this approach, the European Union is making a historic mistake by ignoring the very basis of the existence of two peoples with equal, legal and political status, on which the independence of the island depends. By causing the integration of South Cyprus with Greece as a result of the Greek-Greek Cypriot pressure, the European Union will bear the heavy responsibility of permanently dividing the island. The European Union does not have the right to take one-sided decisions and to create obligations regarding the future of the island of Cyprus and, to destroy the existing balance between Turkey and Greece in the region. Turkey and the TRNC will not accept the legal, political and economic consequences that may arise for the island of Cyprus as a result of the EU’s opening of accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot administration.

3. In the face of these grave developments, Turkey and the TRNC will continue to be the guardians of peace and stability in the region. As a Guarantor country, Turkey, under all circumstances, will continue to protect its rights and interests over Cyprus and to fulfill its legal obligations towards the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people which emanate from international treaties.

4. The European Union’s interference with the Cyprus question, at the instigation of Greece, has reached an unacceptable level with the decision taken by the EU at its Luxembourg Summit and the commencement of the accession negotiations has completely changed the nature of the Cyprus question. In conclusion, the previous framework for and the parameters of a future solution have been destroyed as a result of the Greek-Greek Cypriot pressure and threats and of the unabated interference of the EU which has bowed to the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo.

5. In the face of these developments which threaten peace and stability in Cyprus, the primary aim should be to secure the peaceful co-existence of the two states, side-by-side by solving their fundamental differences. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the cornerstone of peace in the island and in the region. Turkey and the TRNC are determined to continue with their approach for peace and stability. Within this framework, we support the peaceful and constructive proposals of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, H.E. Mr. Rauf R. Denktaş, which have been communicated to the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus on 6 March 1998 and evaluate these proposals as an important opportunity in search for a peaceful solution in Cyprus. Unless the existence of two separate equal peoples, democracies and states in the island is recognized, it will not be possible to make any progress towards a solution in Cyprus.

6. The Association Council has decided to take the following steps in order to deepen the existing special relationship between the two countries, in the political, defense, economic, educational and cultural fields.

6.1. Until the TRNC, as a sovereign and democratic states, the place it fully deserves in the international community, Turkey and TRNC will continue and step up their joint efforts aimed at removing the restrictive measures being imposed on the TRNC internationally, and enabling the TRNC to freely enter into political, economic, cultural and sportive relations with all countries. All the necessary steps will be taken for the integration of the TRNC with the international community. The steps taken towards this end will be discussed and decided upon within the context of the Permanent Political Consulting Mechanism established between the respective Foreign Ministries of the two countries.

6.2. Bearing in mind the necessity of protecting, in stages, the developing sectors of the TRNC economy, it has been decided to establish a joint economic zone between the two countries with the main objective of providing for the free flow of goods, service and capital, transfer of technology and free flow of investment within the framework of the harmonization of customs and free trade conditions.

Towards this end, the parties advise their respective Governments to make the necessary legal and technical arrangements in order to realize the objectives set out in the Agreement on Guarantee for Investments, the Agreement on State Aid to the Investments and the Agreements on Cooperation in Trade and Economy signed between the two countries.

Within the context of the Association Council, it has been decided to establish a Joint Economic Committee with the aim of determining joint economic and financial policies, developing a strategy for development and progress, and towards this end, laying out regional plans. In this connection:

- The economic relations between the two countries will be developed as necessitated by the Joint Economic Zone, and the harmonization process will be completed in two months following the entry into force of the agreement on Cooperation in Trade and Economy.

- The existing cooperation in the fields of tourism, education, transport, agriculture, industry, trade, investment, credit-financing, money-banking, will be improved in line with this objective.

- The cooperation in field of tourism will be improved and the means to overcome the problems in transportation and marketing will be increased in order to accelerate the development of TRNC tourism.

- Real and legal persons in Turkey and TRNC, who wish to make investments in the latter, will equally benefit from the incentives available for Turkey’s prior regions of development.

- Projects to transport water, from Turkey, by sea surface and through a pipeline, which are of paramount importance for the socio-economic development of the TRNC, will be completed as soon as possible.

6.3. The existing close cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture and education, including higher education, will be improved and further deepened. To this end, a Joint Committee will be established.

The Association Council will continue to carry out its functions with determination for the protection of the interests of the two countries. The next meeting of the Association Council will be held in three months, in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

At the invitation of H.E. Süleyman Demirel, President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Rauf R. Denktaş, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, has paid an official visit on 22-24 April 1998.

During this visit, the Presidents of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus;

Recalling the Joint Declaration they issued on 20 January 1997;

Reaffirming their desire and determination to develop the relations between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in all fields, in the context of closest solidarity and cooperation,

have exchanged views regarding the current situation and the latest developments in Cyprus, and on how to further deepen and develop the relations between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and have announced the following common views and decisions:

1. To this day, Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have shown every constructive effort in order to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the Cyprus question. By contrast, the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus, with the encouragement of Greece, has never abandoned its objective of converting Cyprus into a Hellenic island and, by exploiting, in the international arena, the status it has unjustly usurped has undermined all processes and proposals for a solution. With the integration process it has put into practice with the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus in the military, economic and political fields, Greece is blocking efforts for a political solution.

2. By deciding to open accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus, the EU has disregarded international law and the 1959-60 Agreements on Cyprus, and has dealt a blow to the efforts for a solution. In any event, the accession negotiations that the Greek Cypriot side will conduct in contravention of international law can not create obligations for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and will not, in any way, affect the rights and obligations of Turkey arising from the 1959-60 Agreements.

3. By opening accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot administration, acting on behalf of "the whole Cyprus", the EU has demonstrated that it totally ignores the balance between the two peoples in Cyprus and between Turkey and Greece, which have been guaranteed by the Agreements of 1959-60. It has also destroyed the parameters for a solution established during the Cyprus negotiating process. By continuing its mentality and approach of attempting to ascribe minority status to the Turkish Cypriot people, the EU has turned the Luxembourg Summit into a historic mistake.

4. As one of the two co-owners of the island of Cyprus and based on their separate right to self determination, the Turkish Cypriot people became the co-founder partner of the 1960 Republic of Cyprus. After the destruction of this Republic by the Greek Cypriot side in 1963, the Turkish Cypriot people have never recognized the "Cyprus Government" title that the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus had illegally usurped and established their own administration and subsequently their own state through their sovereign will.

5. After the Luxembourg Summit, participation of the Turkish Cypriot side in any negotiation process as a "community", or its taking part in the Greek Cypriot delegation which is conducting accession negotiations with the EU, will amount to the abandonment of its equal political status and sovereignty rights emanating from the 1959-60 Agreements.

6. At the current stage, any negotiation process aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus question can have a chance of success, only if it is conducted between two sovereign equals. Today, there are two separate equal peoples, states and democratic governments in Cyprus. As long as these realities in Cyprus and the sovereignty rights of the Turkish Cypriot people are not accepted, no lasting solution can be found. The two equal sides must first resolve the fundamental issues between them, and create the conditions of living side by side in the island in peace and stability.

7. Turkey has rights and responsibilities over Cyprus emanating from international agreements. Turkey, in line with its strategic interests, has always been a guarantee for peace and stability in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. The 1960 Treaties of Guarantee and of Alliance will continue to be valid and in force under all circumstances;

The erosion of these agreements, either directly or indirectly, will not be allowed. The Turkish-Greek balance established by the 1960 Agreements over Cyprus and the region will be protected.

8. In line with the above mentioned principles, the parties have declared that they will evaluate and support any constructive efforts for a solution which keep in mind these realities pertaining to Cyprus. Turkey and the TRNC have made it known that they are open to substantive and meaningful negotiations which will be started on this basis.

9. In the context of its "joint military doctrine" with Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration is continuing its heavy and high technology weapons purchases. The activity concerning the deployment of the S-300 missile system in Southern Cyprus is under way. The construction of the Paphos Air force base allocated to Greece’s fighter planes has been completed. Those responsible for the escalation of tension in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean are Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration. Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, without departing from a sense of responsibility and reason, are taking the necessary measures in order to protect the balance in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean and to render ineffective all policies threatening peace. The parties have already demonstrated their determination in this regard through the Joint Declaration of 20 January 1997, signed between the Presidents of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

All steps taken by the Greek Cypriot side and Greece aimed at upsetting the peace and stability in the region will be evaluated on the basis of the threat that they are creating; the use of these developments for bargaining purposes at the political level will not be allowed.

10. The continuation of the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as an independent and sovereign state is fundamental. To this end, the ties between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be strengthened and the special relations which have been established in all fields will be deepened within the framework of the Joint Declarations of 20 January 1997 and the Joint Statement of 20 July 1997. In this direction, the work of the Association Council between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has been started, will be advanced further.

11. In line with the joint economic area that has been created between the two countries, and in accordance with the conditions of free trade, common economic and financial policies based on the free circulation of goods, services and capital, and the flow of investment, as well as strategies on developments and economic expansion, will speedily be put into practice.

12. The parties will continue to expand their joint efforts in order to strengthen the standing of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the international platform.

13. In the resolve and determination to protect the common interests of both countries, contacts at all levels will be increased and intensified. The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, H.E. Mr. Rauf Denktaş, has invited H.E. President Süleyman Demirel to pay an official visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The invitation has been accepted.

The Association Council Agreement signed between the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on 6 August 1997 in Lefkoşa envisaged the deepening and diversification of the existing cooperation and solidarity between the two countries in the fields of foreign policy, security, defense, economy and finance.

Towards this end, the Association Council held its first meeting on 31 March 1998 in Ankara. In order to monitor the implementation of the decisions taken at the first meeting and to advise their respective governments on the implementation of these decisions, the Association Council held its second meeting in Lefkoşa on 23 July 1998.

The following delegations participated in the Association Council meeting representing their respective Governments and Parliaments.

Prof. Dr. Şükrü Sina Gürel : Minister of State

Mr. İsmail Cem : Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Hüseyin Arı : Member of Parliament

Mr. İnal Erkan : Member of Parliament

Mr. Taner Etkin : Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence

Mr. Salih Coşar : Minister of Finance

Mr. Erdal Onurhan : Minister of Economy

Mr. İlkay Kamil : Minister of Interior and Rural Affairs

Mr. Mehmet Bayram : Minister of Communications and Works

Mrs. Onur Borman : Member of Parliament (Minister of Labour

and Housing)

Mr. Kenan Atakol : Member of Parliament

Mr. İrsen Küçük : Member of Parliament

Mr. Hüseyin Celal : Member of Parliament

Mr. Mehmet Emin Karagil : Member of Parliament

At the Association Council meeting, the parties reviewed the latest developments pertaining to the Cyprus issue and exchanged views on the joint approach to be adopted in the period ahead.

During the meeting, the two sides have reconfirmed their agreement to deepen and diversify commercial and economic cooperation between them with a view to creating a joint economic zone. Within this framework, they have made the following assessments and decided on the following:

1- The parties have stressed, once again, the importance of maintaining peace and stability both in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean as well as the importance of the maintenance of the delicate balance established between Turkey and Greece through the 1960 Agreements. They also stressed the importance of taking all the necessary measures in order to render ineffective all efforts which pose a serious threat to peace. The Republic of Turkey has reaffirmed its commitment to continue to provide to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus its effective, de facto guarantee in accordance with the 1960 guarantee system. Turkey has also reconfirmed that it will oppose all kinds of threats directed towards the security of both the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The parties have stressed that they will not accept issues such as the deployment of the S-300 missile systems in Southern Cyprus or the use of the Paphos Airbase by the Greek Air Force as bargaining chips.

They have noted with concern that the opening of accession negotiations between the European Union and the Greek Cypriot side and the continuation of the EU process have encouraged the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo to pursue adventurous policies and designs which pose a serious threat to the peace and stability in the region.

2- Despite the fact that the unilateral application of the Greek Cypriot side for full membership to the EU is an unlawful application, the EU has made a historic mistake at the Luxembourg Summit by opening the accession negotiations. The EU has thus demonstrated that it ignores the very basis of the existence of two peoples with equal legal and political rights in the island, and has disregarded the need for the maintenance of the balance established between Turkey and Greece through the 1960 Agreements. With this decision, the EU has destroyed the basis of negotiations which had come about after lengthy efforts for solving the Cyprus issue, has created an impasse and has opened the doors to the permanent division of the island.

3- The Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have put forward their views and positions on the Cyprus issue in the Joint Declaration issued by the Presidents of the two countries on 23 April 1998. Within this framework, the two parties have agreed that a solution to the Cyprus issue can only be achieved on the basis of the fact that there exist two separate sovereign peoples and States in the island and by the preservation of the balance between Turkey and Greece established through the 1960 Agreements. They have stated that priority should be given to the resolution of the basic issues between the two sovereign equal sides in the island; that the desired atmosphere of trust and cooperation could only be achieved this way; and that any future cooperative relationship on the island could have a chance of success only under these conditions.

4- The two sides will continue and intensify their joint efforts towards the removal of the embargoes and obstacles imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people in the international arena, until the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, as an independent and sovereign State, takes its rightful place in the international arena, as it deserves in every field. Steps taken towards integrating the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with the international community in every aspect, will be continued. With this aim, the efforts within the framework of the existing Political Consultation Mechanism and Structural and Functional Cooperation Program of action between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries will be advanced.

5- Steps taken towards the creation of a joint economic zone based on the free movement of factors of production, technological transfers and investments, have been evaluated and, within this framework necessary regulations for the alignment of customs and for the creation of conditions for free trade between the two countries, have been welcomed by the two sides. Both sides have agreed, within the framework of such arrangements, to bear in mind the issue of stage by stage protection of the developing economic sectors of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

With a view to further enhancing and diversifying the economic relations between the two countries, the two sides have reiterated their determination to take the measures expected from each side in accordance with the Economic Cooperation Protocol dated 3 January 1997, in a short time.

Furthermore, the two sides have agreed on the realization of measures necessary for putting into effect, in a short time, the Agreement on the State Aid to the Investments, Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Agreement on the Investment Guarantee, which all together, will channel private investment to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by creating attractive conditions for private investors.

6- In line with the targets set by these agreements, and specially for surmounting the difficulties encountered in bilateral trade, the two sides have agreed to implement the necessary measures. Moreover, the two sides have agreed to align both their customs regulations and regulations related to trade in the spheres of agriculture and health.

7- The two sides have agreed on both the need to create a new package of incentives for investment in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and the necessity to align their rules and regulations regarding incentives. They further agreed, to support the investment efforts of the private sector through reinforced incentives together with the provision of low-interest-rate credit as part of the package of incentives for investments in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Furthermore, agreement is reached on the strengthening of the cooperation between the İstanbul Stock Exchange and the Northern Cyprus Stock Exchange and enabling the stock market instruments to be traded in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

8- The two sides have expressed their pleasure both at the completion of the project bringing drinking water and water for domestic use to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and at the progress made regarding the project designed to carry water to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus through a pipeline.

9- Taking into consideration that the credit facilities made available by Ziraat Bank and Halk Bank in cooperation with the institutions of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have had positive effects on the economy, they have also agreed to increase these facilities. They have also agreed that the new credit facilities provided by the Eximbank., will also create additional opportunities for the private sector.

10- Within the framework of further developing the economic relations between the two countries and harmonising their rules and regulations, the Association Council has decided to advise their respective governments to take all the necessary measures in order to enable the citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to enjoy the same social and economic rights enjoyed by citizens of Turkey.

11- In line with the target of establishing a joint economic zone, the parties;

-have decided to instutitonalize the existing cooperation in the fields of tourism, education, transportation, communication, energy, agriculture, industry, commerce, investment, public housing, money and banking, credit and financing;

-have decided that the present cooperation in restructuring and increasing the productivity of the agricultural sector will be continued in an effective way;

-have agreed that the air and sea transport facilities between the two countries will be increased that concrete projects towards this end will be encouraged and supported.

-with a view to adding momentum to the development of the tourism industry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the touristic facilities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be marketed in cooperation and together with Turkey’s touristic facilities and, within this framework have decided to take the necessary measures to overcome the difficulties encountered by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus regarding transportation and marketing.

-have agreed to enhance the existing cooperation on environmental issues that adversely affect human health and tourism by establishing technical assistance programs.

-In addition to the above mentioned fields, the Joint Economic Committee has also been assigned to work on problems faced in the fields of energy, maritime transportation and opening of a customs office at the Seka Port.

12- The existing close cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, including higher education, and culture, will be strengthened and further deepened. Within this framework, the protocols signed between the two countries in the educational, technical and cultural fields will be effectively implemented. Furthermore, additional resources and support will be provided to the universities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in order to further develop and increase their competitiveness.

13- The Association Council has welcomed the efforts to protect and enhance joint interests as well as the efforts towards achieving the established goals between the two countries. The Association Council will continue to work, with determination for the protection of the common interests of the two countries and for further developing the economy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The next regular meeting of the Association Council will be held in Ankara.

At the invitation of H.E. Rauf R. Denktaş, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, H.E. Mr. Bülent Ecevit, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, paid an official visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on 20 July 1999.

Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Mr. Cumhur Ersümer, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. İsmail Cem, Minister of State Mr. Şükrü S. Gürel, Minister of State Prof. Dr. Tunca Toskay, Minister of State Mr. Hasan Gemici, Minister of National Defense Mr. Sabahattin Çakmakoğlu, Minister of Tourism Mr. Erkan Mumcu, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mr. Korkmaz Haktanır and Deputy Undersecretary of Prime Minister Mr. Selçuk Polat.

Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit and the accompanying high-level delegation attended, on 20 July 1999, Celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of Peace and Freedom Day.

During this visit, Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit held consultations with President Rauf R. Denktaş, Prime Minister Dr. Derviş Eroğlu and members of the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

During these consultations, the parties;

Reaffirming the contents of their Joint Declaration of 20 January 1997, 20 July 1997 and 23 April 1998;

Reiterating their mutual desire and determination to develop and deepen the relations between the two countries in every field; and,

Having reviewed the current situation in the light of the statement by the G-8 countries at their Summit in Cologne; the United Nations Secretary-General’s report on his mission of good offices; and the UN Security Council resolution 1250, deemed it useful to make the following common views and decisions known to the public:

- Today is the 25th Anniversary of a day which marks the end of a dark period of suffering for the Turkish Cypriot people.

- The Turkish Cypriot people, who, through great sacrifice, have reached the present day, fully appreciate the value of living under the roof of their own independent and sovereign State, enjoying the right to determine their own future. We commemorate, with respect, our Martyrs, who have sacrificed their lives to this end, and extend our gratitude to our veterans.

- There will never be a return to those dark days and there is no question of tolerating any fait accompli which would leave the door open to such a development. All such aspirations should be abandoned.

- Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus expect that their sensitivity and determination in this respect are recognized by all and, unlike in the past, their views are carefully taken into account.

- It is of vital importance that both for the security and well-being of the two peoples of the island as well as for the stability of the Eastern Mediterranean, the prevailing peace in Cyprus is not disrupted.

- The way to ensure this is to recognize the realities and to achieve a peace agreement between the Turkish Cypriot state in the North and the Greek Cypriot state in the South.

- The 36-year old chain of injustice against the Turkish Cypriot people must be broken.

- With their pre-planned armed attacks in 1963, the Greek Cypriots destroyed the 1960 Republic, which had been established jointly by the two peoples of the island by exercising their separate right to self-determination, and tried to annihilate the Turkish Cypriot people.

- Since then, there has not been a state, government, parliament, or administration with the authority or competence to represent the two equal peoples in Cyprus, and to take any decision for the island as a whole.

- The Turkish Cypriot people have never accepted the usurpation by the Greek Cypriots of their rights and the titles emanating from the partnership Republic, by force of arms. They resisted the Greek Cypriot attacks and oppression for years and, continuing their struggle for survival, established their own administration and finally their own state.

- The intervention by Turkey under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, upon the coup d’etat carried out by Greece in 1974 with the aim of annexing Cyprus to Greece, not only put an end to this illegal act but also saved the Turkish Cypriot people from mass extermination and 11-year-long acts of oppression.

- After 1974, a new situation has come about in Cyprus, ending a period of continuous strife and bloodshed. The tranquility ensuing from this enabled the two sides to live within their respective territories and states, and to search for ways to settle their disputes created after 1963.

- The Turkish Cypriot side has, for years, made serious and constructive proposals for the creation of conditions which would preserve the environment of security in Cyprus and enable the two sides to resolve their disputes. It has spent efforts, in good faith, for the formation of a framework for a comprehensive settlement. The Greek Cypriot side, however, has not contributed to these efforts in a genuine manner; has not changed its attitude towards the Turkish Cypriot people; and has not abandoned its unfounded claims and prejudices.

- At the root of the 36-year-old impasse in Cyprus lie the failure of the Greek Cypriot side to abandon its obsession with converting Cyprus into a Greek island and, in that connection, its attempt to continue to hold onto its illegitimate title and claims. Greece primarily carries grave responsibility in the continuation of this negative and adventurous attitude of the Greek Cypriot side.

- It is abundantly clear that none of these claims of the Greek Cypriot side have a legal or justified basis or a legitimate purpose; that they are of an aggressive nature, and that they openly violate international agreements.

- The imposition, as an extension of these aggressive policies, or embargoes on the Turkish Cypriot people in all fields, and the propaganda war waged in the international arena cannot, in any way, be justified or accepted.

- The EU, by opening accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side, has taken a totally wrong turn. It is not possible to consider the balance between the two peoples of Cyprus as well as between Turkey and Greece, established and guaranteed by the 1960 Agreements as non-existent. This has no validity in international law. Despite our objections and admonitions, the EU, by taking such an irresponsible step, has destroyed the established framework and parameters for a settlement, and by deepening the crisis of confidence, led to the further estrangement of the two peoples from one another.

- An approach which regards the Greek Cypriot side as the sole interlocutor authorized to negotiate on behalf of the political status and sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, is totally invalid and is bound to fail. The Greek Cypriots and the EU should realize that the future of the island cannot be built on such an approach.

- The emergence of a new awareness on the part of the EU in this direction is welcome but not sufficient. The Union must show the will to abandon the wrong path it has embarked upon, and the accession negotiations conducted with the Greek Cypriot side under the banner of Cyprus must be stopped.

- Because the green light given to the Greek Cypriot side for EU membership has raised expectations on the Greek Cypriot side and encouraged them to pursue a dangerous policy of tension. The Greek Cypriot Administration has been engaged in importing high-technology weapons to South Cyprus; establishing air and navy bases for Greece; and openly supporting PKK terrorism against Turkey, in collaboration with Greece. These are unacceptable actions, which escalate tension in the island as well as the region, and place obstacles in the way of any process of negotiations.

- Turkey, as motherland and a guarantor country, has treaty rights and obligations towards the Turkish Cypriot people, and has national security interests over the island of Cyprus. The erosion, directly or indirectly, of the 1960 Treaties of Guarantee and of Alliance will not be allowed under any circumstances. The balance established between Turkey and Greece over the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean, through the 1960 Agreements, will be carefully maintained, in political, military, economic and all other fields, particularly in the light of developments in the EU’s relations with the Greek Cypriot side.

- We are aware of the existence, within the international community, of circles who acknowledge the mistakes of the past and properly evaluate the situation in Cyprus, sincerely desiring an agreed settlement. As many past experiences show, talks which are undertaken without creating the necessary prerequisites and basis for achieving a reliable outcome end in failure, each failure deepening the mistrust and tensions in the island and pushing the parties further apart.

- The point has been reached where it is not possible to start a new process of negotiations, without accepting the equality of status between the two sides, and without manifesting, with the necessary legal and political clarity, the existence in Cyprus of two equal and sovereign states representing the two peoples, and the fact that neither of these two states can claim sovereignty or authority over the other. The acceptance of the separate sovereign existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has become the key to reconciliation based on agreement between the two states of the island.

- Avoiding the realities in the island is not in the interest of anyone, including the Greek Cypriot side. A new Cyprus can only be founded on these realities. Third parties can only contribute to the preservation and further consolidation of peace in Cyprus by encouraging the Greek Cypriots along this path and by adopting an attitude which would make them abandon their obsessions. A settlement can only be lasting if it is freely negotiated between the two equal states in the island; if the balance between the two motherlands, namely Turkey and Greece, is maintained; and if the differences between the two sides are reconciled on a comprehensive and mutually acceptable basis.

- The confederation proposal put forward by President Rauf R. Denktaş on 31 August 1998 draws up a framework for opening the door to a lasting peace based on agreement between the two peoples and the two states of the island on the basis of equality and sovereignty. If the aim is to secure lasting peace in the island of Cyprus and in the region, the proposal for a Cyprus Confederation should be considered with utmost care and seriousness.

- The relations between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be developed and deepened in line with the target of integration set at the highest level. Projects which are important for speeding up the economic development of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be put into effect and completed. With the aim of protecting their common interests in all their aspects, Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will sign a special relationship agreement, in the period ahead.