PRESIDENT TALAT GAVE THE MANDATE TO FORM THE MEW GOVERNMENT TO SOYER

President Mehmet Ali Talat gave the mandate to form the new government to the Leader of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

Speaking during his meeting with Soyer, the President said after discussions with leaders and representatives of political parties he gave the mandate to form the new government to the CTP-BG Leader Ferdi Sabit Soyer in line with the constitutional procedure.

President stating that Soyer had two weeks to form the new government, said if he became unsuccessful, in line with the constitutional procedure, Soyer should return the mandate to him and open the way for other political parties.

For his part, Soyer pointed out that within the framework of the Parliament’s formation, they would form a coalition government, which would work with maximum coordination to form a government program.

 

PRESIDENT TALAT ADRESSING PAPADOPOULOS: "WITH WHOM ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE A SETTLEMENT, IF THERE IS LACK OF RECOGNITION FOR THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS’ POLITICAL EXISTENCE?"

Speaking at AKIS program on BRT’s first channel last night (13 September), President Talat stressed the importance of being in unity and solidarity for political struggle.

President Talat, referring to the Greek Cypriot administration’s accusation for Turkish Cypriots to the effect that they were trying to upgrade the status of TRNC, said in fact the Greek Cypriots were trying to humiliate the Turkish Cypriots and degrade them to community status. He added that this approach was ignoring the existence of the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriot side was not in search of a settlement but was trying to achieve osmosis and assimilate the Turkish Cypriots.

Showing a strong reaction to Greek Cypriots’ approach, addressing Papadopoulos, President Talat said: "With whom are you going to make a settlement, if you don’t recognize the Turkish Cypriots’ political existence? With me, am I alone? Where are the people elected by the Turkish Cypriots? President underlined that the Greek Cypriot administration were telling the Turkish Cypriots that they did not have the right to elect, or the people elected by the Turkish Cypriots doesn’t exist. He added that the Greek Cypriot administration saw the Turkish Cypriots as a tribe with a chief…President said such an approach could not be accepted.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people should act in unity and wholehearted, President called upon the Turkish Cypriot people and said:

"You are a People having a political existence, which is self-governing and developing itself, governing its economy and walking towards future. This is the cooperation point for all the community members from the very left to the very right…"

"Parameters for solution are clear", said President Talat and added that these were; bi-zonality, political equality, new partnership, effective participation of two community members to administration and the two founding states having same functions. Talat stressed that it was not possible to ignore these parameters.

President Mehmet Ali Talat said that the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Cyprus, UNFICYP Chief of Mission Michael Moller had presented him a package of proposals on the setting up of technical committees and working experts’ groups and their working principles.

The President said the Turkish Cypriot side was evaluating this proposal, which was aimed at implementing the 8-July agreement reached between him and the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopulos.

He said the Greek Cypriot side was playing for time, in spite of all attempts by the Turkish Cypriot side for the immediate resumption of the negotiations process. President added that they were calling the Turkish Cypriot side to negotiate forever by using procedural tricks as an excuse. "It is open and clear that the Greek Cypriot side did not want a settlement. This is also stated by both Papadopoulos and Lillikas," said the President.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot side wanted to start the negotiations immediately, including the give and take process, directed for a comprehensive settlement, President Talat said they accepted some preparation for starting this process. However, Talat underlined that there was no need to carry out academic researches and write thesis as if there hasn’t been anything done on the Cyprus issue for forty years and said there was nine thousand pages study prepared during the Annan plan, therefore there was no need for a new study, where the principles of the Cyprus issue would be searched.

Meanwhile, President Talat also explained Papadopoulos’ proposal, which was made after 2004 referendum when Papadopoulos found himself in a difficult position within the EU.

Talat said Papadopoulos’ proposal, which envisaged the return of Varosha to its former owners and the opening of Magusa port for joint use and in return, starting direct trade between EU countries and the, did not have any benefit for the Turkish Cypriots.

Pointing out that from time to time this proposal was also put forward by the EU term Presidents, Talat said this created misunderstandings and the proposal was perceived as being Luxembourg’s proposal instead of Papadopoulos'.

Underlining that this proposal was not logical, President Talat said the most reasonable proposal was put forward by Turkey, which envisaged the lifting of all restrictions.