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STATEMENT BY PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN HASAN
ERCAKICA ON 20 MAY 2008
We have been following closely the statements of the Greek
Cypriot leaders and the publications of the Greek Cypriot press regarding
the works of the Working Groups and the Technical Committees launched in
accordance with the agreement reached by President Mehmet Ali Talat and the
Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias on 21 March 2008.
The Greek Cypriot leaders have personally stated that the
Working Groups and the Technical Committees will not engage in any kind of
negotiation but will only exchange ideas. However, they have recently been
stating that since there have been no progress in the groups and committees
and they are not content with the recent developments, they might demand the
postponement of the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations
during the meeting that will be held between President Mr. Talat and the
Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Christofias on Friday.
First of all, it should be stated that the Turkish Cypriot
side is dedicated to all its commitments and the objective of a settlement.
It is also determined to maintain the process which started on 21 March 2008
until a settlement is reached. This decisiveness also includes contribution
and assistance to overcome the difficulties the Greek Cypriot leader Mr.
Demetris Christofias is faced with.
We have stated many times before that the Turkish Cypriot
side does not require a preparatory period for the resumption of the
comprehensive settlement negotiations. As the Turkish Cypriot side have
committed before, it is ready for the commencement of the comprehensive
settlement negotiations on 21 June 2008. However, it should not be forgotten
that we have agreed to a brief preparatory period as a result of persistent
demands of the Greek Cypriot side which should be deemed as the reflection
of our flexibility and efforts to provide necessary assistance.
The mechanism required to exchange the difficulties the
parties are faced with is already established in the 21 March agreement. It
was envisaged that during this process Mr. Özdil Nami and Mr. Georges
Iacovou should continuously monitor the works of the groups and committees
and the two leaders should meet, if required.
Therefore, when Mr. Christofias have demanded a meeting with
President Talat on 23 May 2008, it has immediately been accepted without
even requiring a reason to be stated.
Instead of choosing to blame the Turkish Cypriot side to
overcome the difficulties he is faced with, Mr. Christofias should have
preferred to share these difficulties with President Talat and search for a
solution in a more sincere manner.
However, by exploiting the Greek Cypriot media organs, the
Greek Cypriot leadership attempts to humiliate the capacity and skills of
our colleagues who work in the working groups and the technical committees.
The allegations concerning the actions of the Turkish Cypriot
committees are nothing but lies. Our representatives who participate in the
negotiation process have been fulfilling their duties with utmost sacrifice
and remarkable performance.
While the Turkish Cypriot delegations have been participating
in the works of the Working Groups and the Technical Committees with full
capacity, they are faced with requests of the Greek Cypriot side to postpone
or to cancel the meetings.
On the one hand, there is the request of postponing or even
cancelling the meetings and on the other the complaints regarding the
progress of the works…
This is a conflict that needs clarification of the Greek
Cypriot side. |
