SERDAR DENKTAS: "IF GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE’S INTRANSIGENT ATTITUDE CONTINUES, TURKISH CYPRIOTS WILL SEEK FOR AN ALTERNATIVE SETTLEMENT"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister For Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas, who is currently in Bratislava upon the invitation of Slovak Foreign Policy Association (SFPA), which came on to the agenda with the report entitled "Perspective of Turkey’s EU Process and Cyprus Problem", gave a conference entitled "The Future of a Settlement in Cyprus".

Serdar Denktas, stating that if the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigent attitude continued, the Turkish Cypriot side would seek for alternative settlements said: "probably one of these is Slovak-Czech model. We can also call this ‘a unification which came after separation’. If we cannot share the state, we would share the island and then we will be united within Europe."

Responding to questions following the conference, Serdar Denktas referring to Turkish and Turkish Cypriot governments’ efforts towards a settlement, stressed that the current stalemate in the island could be overcome only if the Greek Cypriot side showed a good intention.

Referring to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos’ recent statement, which called upon the Greek Cypriot people to further strengthen their "no" vote in the 24 April referendum and elevate their voices in the forthcoming parliamentarian elections, Serdar Denktas said.

"Because the Greek Cypriot side does not accept the Turkish Cypriots as their political equals and rejects to share power with us, we cannot reach a bi-zonal and bi-communal settlement based on political equality. We are in favour of sharing power and a settlement with the Greek Cypriot side, but first of all we want respect for our political equality and territorial integrity."

Pointing out that the stalemate emerged after the referendum has been continuing for 2 years, Serdar Denktas said:

"The Cyprus problem cannot move towards any direction, there is a total stalemate. Even on the issue of implementing confidence-building measures and on solving daily simple issues, there is no cooperation between the two peoples. The Greek Cypriot side acts with an anxiety that even a hand shaking with us would lead to recognition. They should leave aside their concern on political recognition of the Turkish Cypriot side and make an effort to maintain an atmosphere, where we can altogether work for the future of Cyprus"

Indicating the Turkish Cypriot side’s belief that there would not be a settlement because of the Greek Cypriot side’s strengthening intransigent stance, Serdar Denktas called upon the EU and the international community to encourage the Greek Cypriot side for a settlement. Continuing he said:

"Tassos Papadopoulos does not represent the Turkish Cypriots in the EU, he does not have the right to say a word on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots, either in EU or in international platforms. If Papadopoulos is not convinced that we are the political equals, we will continue to preserve our Turkish Cypriot identity and will never accept to have minority rights, Greek Cypriots will not be willing to reach a settlement. The international community and especially the EU, who is aware of its big mistake of making the Greek Cypriot side a full member, could only persuade Papadopoulos by saying; ‘ you don’t have the right to speak on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots"

Although the Turkish Cypriots said, "yes" to the Annan plan in the referendum, we have been the one who left outside and punished, we have been deceived by the EU. Inhuman embargoes are still continuing, all promises given have not been kept, Direct Trade Regulation of the EU has been shelved and the Financial Aid Regulation has been put into uncertainty.

The EU should give up its current, wrong Cyprus policy. Otherwise, there will not be a settlement in the island."

Warning that if Papadopoulos’ intransigent stance based on "osmosis" and EU’s wrong policy continued, the separation would become permanent and stronger, Minister Denktas underlined that one of the alternatives for a settlement was to implement the decision taken by Slovakia and Czech Republic on 1 January 1993, which they peacefully decided to dissolve Czechoslovakia. Adding that this was the future of Cyprus, he said all the related parties should acknowledge this reality. Serdar Denktas added:

"The Greek Cypriot side should acknowledge that, just like Slovaks and Czechs, there are two religions, two languages and two cultures and two peoples in Cyprus, who are politically equal owners of the island.

Just like in the example of Slovaks and Czechs, peaceful separation and then unification within the EU will be the most reasonable way of solution. The Turkish Cypriots who have always expressed their good will do not have the luxury to wait anymore."

Referring to Slovakia’s past experience with Czech Republic, Denktas said Slovakia by conveying her experience to Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides could make an important contribution to the Cyprus issue. Serdar Denkas said: "I hope Slovakia, who has a great interest in the Cyprus problem would take an initiative in the process of solving the Cyprus issue."

Stressing that Turkey would not leave Turkish Cypriots alone in their just cause and would not give up her rights on Cyprus, Denktas said those who thought that Ankara would sacrifice Cyprus for the sake of EU membership was in fact in big mistake.

During the conference, referring to Ankara’s "Cyprus Action Plan" as a proposal package, which could have an important contribution for reaching a settlement in Cyprus, Serdar Denktas said, the plan should be evaluated by the international community within this framework. Continuing he said:

"If Turkey’s action plan is accepted and implemented, in other words if the ports are opened for trade simultaneously, this will be in both side’s interest. For Turkish Cypriots, direct trade will start and for the Greek Cypriot side, Turkey will open her air and seaports. Cooperation bridges will be established between Turkish and Greek Cypriot businessmen and this will prepare the ground for a viable, strong and permanent settlement in Cyprus".