A conference entitled "The Kofi Annan Plan Within The Context of Cyprus-EU Relations" , took place at Eastern Mediterranean University yesterday. The conference was organized by the EMU Strategic Research Centre.

Speaking during the conference, Prof. Dr. Faruk Sonmezoglu from Istanbul University’s International Relations Department said the solution plan presented by the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, does not reflect the balance between the two sides in Cyprus.

Pointing out that the issue of refugees and territory has been developed in favour of the Greek Cypriot side, and that requests from the Turkish Cypriot side on the issues of equality, sovereignty and guarantee are not being met, Prof. Dr. Sonmezoglu said despite the fact that political equality is mentioned 10-11 times in the plan, the mechanism to provide this equality doesn’t exist and that as long as sovereignty is not supported political equality has no meaning.

Referring to the revised second plan he said although some changes have been made there is no change on the basic principles.

He also added: "If the structure for the transfer of authority does not function well, you must have the right to get back your authority. Even if you were only recognized for one hour, it’s possible to go back. Otherwise, there will be nothing you can do".

Another particpant , Prof. Dr. Tugrul Arat, from Ankara University’s Law Department, said a settlement in Cyprus is not a precondition for Turkey’s EU membership and Turkey’s EU membership is not related to a settlement of the Cyprus issue.

Referring to decisions taken by the EU on Turkey at the Helsinki and Copenhagen Summits Prof. Dr. Arat pointing out that there is no article which says ‘settle Cyprus, then join the EU’, said a settlement in Cyprus would be determined by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot people living on the island.

Pointing out that the EU is not ready to take in Turkey in the short term and that Turkey also needs some time before she enters the EU, Prof. Dr. Arat said while Turkey implements the necessary economic, political and legal criteria, the EU will prepare itself for Turkey’s membership, and once these two elements cross over then Turkey’s EU membership will materialise.

Adding that it was necessary to establish a ground which would secure the existence of the two peoples in Cyprus , he said when joining the EU it is necessary to secure the balances (political, legal and economic equality), but without doing this the EU has taken the Greek Cypriot side.

He also stressed that in a short period of time it is not possible to sign the Annan Plan, half of which is full of empty pages, and there’s no need to rush on this issue.

In his opening speech, the President of the EMU Strategic Research Centre, Hakký Atun, pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people, after a 40-year struggle without knowing the contents and without taking into consideration their long term interests are being pressured to make a decision quickly, said he believed that when the Turkish Cypriot people are deciding their future they should consider all possibilities, their national interests should be protected and there should be no regrets.

In an opinion poll carried out in the TRNC, 62 per cent of the Turkish Cypriot people have rejected the UN plan in its current form, and 32 per cent have approved it.

The opinion poll, which was carried out by the Turkish Strategy GFK group in the TRNC, revealed that 54 per cent of Turkish Cypriots believed that within a year there would be a settlement, whereas 44 per cent believed there would be no settlement.

52 per cent of Turkish Cypriots interviewed also expressed support for President Denktas during the Cyprus negotiation process.

On the issue of the proposed maps in the Annan Plan, 48 per cent of Turkish Cypriots said they were against the maps, while 42 per cent said they were in favour of the maps.

Asked about the relocation of approximately 50,000 Turkish Cypriots from 52 villages in the TRNC, 53 per cent of those interviewed said they were against relocation, and 42 per cent said they were not against relocation.

On the question of allowing 28 per cent of Greek Cypriots to relocate to the north and have the right to vote and be elected, 64 per cent of those interviewed were against this, and 31 per cent approved.

Regarding the restriction being brought to Turkey’s continued and effective guarantee in the Annan Plan, 61 per cent of Turkish Cypriots said they disapproved, and 32 per cent said they approved.