SOYER: “GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CANNOT HALT THE JUST CAUSE OF TURKEY AND TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE”

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer speaking during a meeting yesterday (13 June) pointed out that while the Turkish Cypriot side continued on its path towards a permanent and mutually acceptable settlement, the Greek Cypriot side would continue to be isolated. “The Greek Cypriot side cannot halt the just cause of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people”, the Prime Minister said.

Responding to a question about the point reached by Turkey in its EU negotiation process and the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigent stance, Soyer said: “5-month period is actually for the dominative understanding in South Cyprus and political circles in Greece, which pretend not to see the Turkish Cypriot side’s contribution to the settlement process. Let them think for 5 months.”

Soyer reiterating the Turkish Cypriot people’s determination in the settlement process stated that they were in favour of a settlement on the basis of political equality and the Annan plan and wanted the negotiations to start as soon as possible. He said: “The administration in South Cyprus has no right to impose any policy on us and Turkey, by using its one-sided EU membership This is against EU principles”.

Soyer said that Turkey was committed to the international agreements and pledges and that she had proved this, however the commitments should be fulfilled mutually.

Continuing, Soyer said:

“Surely, Turkey is committed to acts, which she signed and agreed. One of these is to open her ports within the framework of the Customs Union. Turkey is committed to this, and we respect. However, the most important point is that the commitment to promises you give, should be parallel to the fulfillment of the promises that you get. Just like Turkey’s commitment regarding her ports, the EU had promised to Turkey, the Turkish Cypriot people and the whole world to lift the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people. Therefore, these commitments should be fulfilled mutually...”

 

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER GUL REMINDED THE EU ITS RESPONSIBILITIES ON CYPRUS

Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gül, reminded the EU the principles and responsibilities it announced before to public in its documents on Cyprus and asked to abide by them.

Abdullah Gül, speaking at Turkey-EU Association Council, which is the most important decision making body, asked the EU to give support to UN Secretary-General’s efforts for finding a settlement and underlined that a settlement should be based on the UN Plan. Gül also requested from the EU to commit to adopt itself to a settlement which would be found by the sides on the island.

Asking the EU to comply with its commitment to end the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, Gül said the EU has not yet kept its promise on this subject.

Referring the Turkey’s Action Plan on Cyprus, dated 24 January 2006, said this proposal was still on the table.

Gül also underlined Turkey’s support to her declaration on Cyprus, which she made after signing the Harmonization Protocol with the EU and reiterated Turkey’s commitment to UN Secretary-General’s efforts.

Meanwhile, Gül called upon the related sides not to put any precondition for the start of the studies of the technical committees.