Presidential Spokesman Hasan Erçakıca stated that the main reason behind the failure of Finland’s initiative on the Cyprus issue was the Greek-Greek Cypriot sides’ efforts towards altering the relevant parties of the Cyprus problem. Erçakıca said that the other reason were the imbalances within Finland’s proposal.

Erçakıca in his weekly press conference issued yesterday (28 November) pointing out that the failure of the Finland’s initiative was announced on Monday (27 November), said Finland’s efforts, which were carried out with good intention was exploited by the Greek Cypriot side and Greece in order to alter the relevant parties of the Cyprus issue. He added that Greece and the Greek Cypriot side were trying to present the Cyprus issue as ‘a problem between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side’ and gain advantages from this.

Erçakıca explaining that Finland’s initiative which was made in order the overcome the problems which could arise in Turkey’s EU membership process, envisaged the opening of Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot vessels and aircrafts and in return the lifting of the North Cyprus’ isolation, said however the issue of Varosha which is a part of a comprehensive settlement was tried to be included in these views. Erçakıca added that besides these, the measures aimed at ending the isolation of North Cyprus were insufficient.

Erçakıca stressed that hereafter the most worthy thing that the EU could do was to support the efforts towards finding an early and fair settlement to the Cyprus issue under the UN umbrella. Erçakıca added that Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission, Olli Rehn has asked the European Council which would be held in December, to make a call regarding the resumption of negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue under the supervision of the UN and pointed out that it is the best way to settle the issue.

Presidential Spokesman Hasan Erçakıca stated that the method suggested in the letter sent by İbrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs was expected to be discussed during the meeting that was held yesterday between Presidential Undersecretary Raşit Pertev and Director of the Diplomatic Office of the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos, Tasos Tzionis.

During 57^th Session of Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Commission hosted by the European Parliament, it was striking that many MEPs including Greeks gave support to the Turkish Cypriot side on the Cyprus issue.

Deputy Chairman of Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Commission, Greek Socialist Panagiotis Beglitis speaking during the session addressed to the Greek Cypriot MEPs and said: "You should accept the decision for lifting the isolations of the Turkish Cypriot people". Beglitis added that this would lead to a positive environment and thus prevent a possible crisis between Turkey and EU relations.