The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Serdar Denktas, pointing out that Turkey was firm on its stance regarding the Greek Cypriot side's request that it should recognize the "Cyprus Republic", said this type of recognition sought by the Greek Cypriot side won't materialize.

Explaining that the Greek Cypriot side, who rejected the Annan Plan, by using the benefits of EU membership was trying to implement those aspects in the Annan Plan that were in their favour, Serdar Denktas said, accepting this would be an injustice to both the TRNC and Turkey.

Speaking as a guest at the "Latest Political Developments in Cyprus" conference organized by the Eastern Mediterranean University's Cyprus Policy Centre, Serdar Denktas on evaluating the Cyprus issue and Turkey's EU process, pointed out that Turkey would be confronted with pressure to recognize the "Cyprus Republic in its EU process and said Turkey had justified reasons not to respond to these pressures.

Explaining that the EU was a series of agreements, Serdar Denktas said the Greek Cypriot side could not easily veto Turkey's EU process because if it did this would be as a result of the request of the big states within the EU who were against Turkey's EU membership.

Serdar Denktas said in a Parliamentary resolution taken in 1960 Turkey had recognized the "Cyprus Republic" and by renewing this resolution it was stated that Turkey would recognize the "Cyprus Republic" only if it conformed to the first constitutional and international agreements or would recognize the new state of affairs which would replace it. He said it was also stated that Turkey would put on hold its 1960 resolution to recognize the "Cyprus Republic" until all the necessary conditions were met.

Stating that it was necessary to find a Cyprus settlement before Turkey became a full EU member, Serdar Denktas underlined that in a future settlement the Turkish Cypriots' equality should be secured.

Pointing out that after getting a date from the EU and during her EU process Turkey would have to have more dealings with the Greek Cypriot side, Serdar Denktas stressed that this would not mean recognition. He drew attention to the fact that although Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side were members of some of the same international organizations Turkey had not recognized the Greek Cypriot side.

Responding to a question, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs said he didn't share the view that an opportunity for achieving a settlement had been missed at the Copenhagen Summit and that the Annan Plan had been changed five times and that there would be more settlement plans in the future.