PRESIDENT TALAT RECEIVES MOLLER…

President Mehmet Ali Talat received the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) Chief of Mission Michael Moller yesterday (4 March).

Responding to the questions of journalists following the meeting, Moller stated that although exact date for the meeting between the two leaders has not yet been determined, it would take place before the end of March.

Stressing that his meeting with President Talat was very fruitful, Moller said both leaders were ready to meet and the he would spend effort to materialize the meeting.

In response to a question regarding the expected visit by a UN delegation from New York to the island in March, Moller said the delegation is expected to visit Cyprus following the meeting between Talat and Christofias at the end of March or the beginning of April.

 

 

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON HASAN ERCAKICA ON 4 MARCH 2008

The change the Greek Cypriot leadership has gone through as a result of the elections in south Cyprus has had effects over both the political environment in Cyprus and the political environment concerning the Cyprus problem. The fact that Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, who was not interested in settling the Cyprus problem, was not reelected and Mr. Demetris Christofias, who is well known for his commitment to the objective of a settlement for many years, has been elected as the Greek Cypriot leader has uplifted the hopes of finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem via negotiations.

It can be observed that this hope has been uttered in every platform although in different versions and proportions. President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat also believes that, the fact that Mr. Christofias has taken over the Greek Cypriot leadership has boosted the hopes for a settlement and he has stated this in various occasions.

As it is known, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Cyprus Mr. Michael Möller has initiated an effort in order to be able to find out how to move forward to the end of a settlement after such a change. In accordance with this, Mr. Möller had a meeting with President Talat on Friday and another meeting with Mr. Christofias yesterday. Meanwhile, a new meeting between President Talat and Mr. Möller has just been concluded during which issues regarding the process have been undertaken.

At this point the important issue that should be paid attention to is the fact that change is in the Greek Cypriot side. The Turkish Cypriot side and the Turkish side as a whole have been engaged in a quest to find a timely and comprehensive solution for the Cyprus problem for a long time now. This search for a settlement has directly been declared in the referendum held on 24 April 2004 via the votes of the Turkish Cypriots and this will is still being maintained.

Therefore, the pace of the efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement for the Cyprus problem will be dependent on the will the Greek Cypriot side will put forward. It should not be forgotten that it is the Greek Cypriot side that has to change.

This approach of ours should not be deemed as if the Turkish Cypriot side will not respond to the changes in the Greek Cypriot side positively. However, it was the position of the Greek Cypriot side, which materialized in the personality of Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos that led the efforts of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem to a deadlock. Therefore, the change in the leadership of the Greek Cypriot side has given rise to new hopes. It should be followed closely what kind of political alterations this change will consequently yield.