PRESIDENT TALAT: “THE PART ON ISOLATION IN BAN KI MOON’S REPORT IS POSITIVE”

President Mehmet Ali Talat underlined the importance of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon’s expressions on isolation in his recent report on Cyprus.

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus needs the support of the Turkic world for the removal of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The President who is in the Turkish Province of Denizli upon the invitation of the Denizli Industrialists & Businessmen Association was responding to reporter’s questions during a visit to Denizli Governor’s office.

As part of his tour of the Western Turkish Province of Denizli, the President visited the Denizli governorship, the Denizli Municipality and the Pamukkale University.

The President’s first contact in Denizli was with the Governor of Denizli Province Hasan Canpolat.

President Mehmet Ali Talat commenting on the 11th Friendship, Brotherhood and Cooperation Congress of Turkic States and Communities in Baku where he went on 17 November 2007, said that the TRNC needed the support of the Turkic World in removing the international isolation’s on North Cyprus.

“So far, we have not received the support we expected” said Talat.

Commenting on the UN Secretary General’s latest report on Cyprus, the President said that the views expressed by Secretary General on the meaning and consequences of the removal of the isolations were in conformity with the TRNC’s position.

He said it would be wrong to say that the report, as a whole, reflected all the Turkish Cypriot Side’s concerns, but added that it contained important and positive elements for the Turkish Cypriot Side.

The President later paid a visit to the Denizli Municipality where he met with the Mayor of the city Nihat Zeybekçi

Speaking during the visit, President Mehmet Ali Talat said that Turkish Cypriot Municipalities continued to be isolated from the rest of the world due to the ongoing international isolation of Turkish Cypriots.

He accused the Greek Cypriot Administration of illegally occupying seats reserved for Turkish Cypriot municipalities within the Council of Europe’s committees for regional and local administrations.

Pointing out that the Council of Europe had called on the Greek Cypriot Municipalities to vacate one of the three seats it was occupying; President Talat said that the Greek Cypriot Administration had yet to comply with this request.

 

FOREIGN MINISTER AVCI GAVE A SPEECH AT THE CONFERENCE IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý, who is currently in Brussels upon the invitation of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), gave a speech at a Conference in the European Parliament. During his speech, Foreign Minister Avcý said the lifting of the unjust isolation imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots.

Following is the text of the speech delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avci:

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a distinct honour and privilege for me to address this outstanding gathering on behalf of the people of the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus. I would like to start my speech by thanking the alliance of liberals and democrats for Europe for extending me an invitation to participate in this important conference.

It is extremely regrettable that as we speak the situation in the middle east in general and, the persistent violence in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine in particular still pose threat to regional as well as global peace and security. I, therefore, commend you on your efforts to promote nonviolence and accord. I am confident that our deliberations will provide useful inputs with regard to a better understanding of the dimensions and implications of the disputed areas as well as the promotion of peace and democracy in the world. The continued armed hostilities and terrorism are of particular concern to all of us and I believe that efforts should be particularly intensified to put an end to such hostilities, armed conflicts which claim civilian lives everyday.

The Israeli Palestinian conflict is of particular importance for the restoration of stability in the Middle East. The joint understanding reached at the Annapolis conference is considered as a step forward and should be encouraged and pursued by the international community. If implemented, it will pave the way for the recommencement of the negotiations which broke down seven years ago between the two parties. It will also bring an end to the bloodshed which unfortunately is part of the daily lives of the people, who live in the area.

Everybody agrees that the current situation in Cyprus is also not acceptable, yet we do not receive the same attention. As the Turkish Cypriot side, we continuously call on the international community to encourage the Greek Cypriot side to adopt a flexible stance vis-à-vis the settlement of the Cyprus problem. Undoubtedly, the settlement of the Cyprus, problem which emerged as a result of the forcible destruction of the partnership republic of Cyprus by the Greek Cypriot side in 1963, will set an example for other disputes promoting peace and stability in this region as well.

On the other hand, due to the lack of international attention for a solution in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot side has been maintaining its uncooperative stance, complicating further the settlement of the Cyprus issue. The unabated rearmament efforts of the Greek Cypriot side are a serious concern particularly at a time when all efforts should be concentrated on creating a reconciliatory atmosphere between the two sides. Its attempts to conclude illegal and unconstitutional agreements with neighbouring countries regarding the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas in the eastern Mediterranean is also increasing the tension between the two sides. Moreover, the signing of an “agreement in the field of defence” with France and their conducting of military exercises which involve offensive scenarios for the invasion of the north, contrary to the previous understanding reached between the two sides on the cessation of military exercises are just a few examples of the ongoing provocative policies of the Greek Cypriot side. Such actions of the Greek Cypriot administration, in its purported capacity as the “government of Cyprus”, leads to tension and contributes to instability in the island and in the region, and harms the bilateral relations between turkey and Greece.

Perhaps at this stage I shall briefly touch upon the history of the Cyprus problem as well as where we stand today.

The Cyprus problem has been on the UN agenda for almost 40 years. Negotiations for a settlement have been continuing since 1968. Yet, a solution is still pending. The main problem behind this is clearly the lack of full understanding of the cause of the problem.

Although the Partnership Republic of Cyprus was destroyed by the Greek Cypriot partner through force of arms in 1963 and there has not been a joint administration ever since, the international community treats the Greek Cypriot side as if it were the legitimate “government of Cyprus”. A brief look at the establishment and functioning of the 1960 republic would however show that it required the joint and effective participation of the two sides in the governance in the partnership republic.

Following the destruction of the partnership republic, the Turkish Cypriot people lived in agony and suffering for eleven years between 1963 and 1974. The Turkish Cypriot people were saved from this agony only after the timely intervention of turkey, with its rights vested in international agreements, following the coup d’etat staged by the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo to annex the island to Greece.

Believing in the need for a solution on the island, the Turkish Cypriot side participated, in a constructive manner, in the process of negotiations carried out under the un auspices since 1968 and displayed flexibility to the extend possible to reach a compromise solution.

However, the Greek Cypriot side’s illegal membership to the European Union purportedly on behalf of the whole Cyprus coupled with the advantages of the title of “the government of Cyprus” has left the Greek Cypriot side with no incentive. Despite all the objections of the Turkish Cypriot side, the EU processed the application of the Greek Cypriot administration on behalf of the whole of Cyprus, treating it as the sole interlocutor in the negotiations for membership to the European Union. As the membership negotiations proceeded, the Greek Cypriot side solidified its position, eliminating along the way, the necessity to reach a compromise solution with the Turkish Cypriot side before EU membership. This finally resulted in the Greek Cypriot rejection of the UN settlement plan of 31 March 2004. Encouraged by its own leader, the Greek Cypriot people turned down the plan by 76 per cent in the separate and simultaneous referenda held in April 2004. A window of opportunity for a settlement in Cyprus was thus missed by the overwhelming rejection of the Greek Cypriot side.

It should be underlined, in this context, that the Turkish Cypriot people approved the plan by 65 percent in spite of the sacrifices it entailed for them.

In his report to the Security Council the former UN Secretary-General called upon the international community for the elimination of the unnecessary restrictions. His successor, Ban Ki-Moon also wrote in his report that he stands by his predecessor’s approach. The European Union and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe also adopted resolutions to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. However, no concrete steps have been taken in this respect so far.

The Direct Trade Regulation, which targets to enable the Turkish Cypriots to export their products directly to the EU via the ports in North, is still pending due to the Greek Cypriot side’s obstructions. We are of the belief that the easing of isolation will not only be a step to correct decades old injustice done against the Turkish Cypriot people but will also be conducive to urging the Greek Cypriot side to adopt a more cooperative stance.

The Turkish Cypriot side remains fully committed to the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem under the Mission of Good Offices of the UN Secretary General. The UN parameters, which emerged throughout years of negotiations, remain to be the cornerstone of any future settlement on the island. These parameters are: political equality, bi-zonality and a new partnership. Turkey’s effective guarantee must undoubtedly continue.

Most recently, in view of the fact that the two peoples on the island face various common problems such as human and drug trafficking and criminal matters, the Turkish Cypriot side called the Greek Cypriot side on numerous times to establish a mechanism for cooperation on these common problems which has regional as well as global implications. The suggestion of the Turkish Cypriot side to set up the technical committees to solve the common problems led to the 8 July agreement between the two sides.

However, instead of seriously engaging in the process, the Greek Cypriot side chose to employ delaying tactics. This is why so many months have passed without any progress whatsoever. Papadopoulos continuously refused to meet President Talat despite his repeated calls. He even declined to participate in the “stock-taking” meeting between the two leaders which was expected to be held before 31 March 2007.

Mr. Papadopoulos finally responded positively to President Talat’s calls after a year and rendered the 5 September meeting possible. It then became apparent that Mr. Papadopoulos attended this meeting as part of a pre-election maneuver to be held in South Cyprus given that he rejected all the constructive proposals put forth by president Talat out of hand.

Believing in the urgency for the solution of the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Cypriot side, at the meeting, proposed that full-fledged negotiations between the two sides at the leaders’ level start on the basis of the established UN parameters, following a preparation period of not exceeding two and a half months. President Talat further proposed that the two sides aim at reaching a solution by the end of the year 2008. I deem it necessary to underline that the UN officials, including the UN Secretary-General himself, also consider the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal in line with letter and spirit of the 8 of July process.

At his meeting with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on 16 October in New York, President Talat reiterating his proposals and also submitted a “revised package of proposals on confidence building measures. These confidence building measures which aim at reconciliation, deserve due attention and support from the international community.

With regard to the process and our proposals to speed it up, the Greek Cypriot side insists on an open-ended process. Such an eventuality would turn the negotiation process into a forum of academic discussion. Mr. Papadopoulos only a day ahead of the meeting (15 October) between President Talat and UN Secretary General Ban, addressed a letter to the UNSG whereby he conveyed the Greek Cypriot side’s so called “new” confidence building measures as well as other proposals regarding the 8 July process. The so-called proposals were transmitted to the Turkish Cypriot side a week later and do not contain any new element with regard to the 8 of July process but reflect the well-known uncompromising Greek Cypriot position.

The policy of Greek Cypriot side is to undermine the well-established UN parameters through shifting the Cyprus issue from UN platform to European Union. Over the years, the Good Offices Mission of the UN has provided us with a substantive body of work and experience enough to enable us to start full-fledged negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement. The UN remains to be the only platform for the resolution of the Cyprus problem. The role of the EU in this respect should be limited to encouraging the Greek Cypriot side to be more forthcoming in the context of the negotiations.

I believe that it is high time for the international community to take the necessary step to urge the Greek Cypriot side to discontinue its uncooperative stance. In fact, some individual countries started sending messages to the Greek Cypriot side that its misdeeds will no longer be tolerated. In this context, the recent signing of the strategic partnership agreement between turkey and the United Kingdom is an important development. The said agreement emphasizes the ending of the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and the promotion of the direct commercial, economic, political and cultural contacts between the UK, the EU and the Turkish Cypriots. Within this framework, it also underlines the importance of maintaining high-level contacts with the Turkish Cypriot authorities, the continued support for the TRNC universities to participate in the European higher education area and the representation of the Turkish Cypriot Parliamentarians in the European Parliament. Following this agreement, the Greek Cypriot leadership went as far as threatening to review its relations with the UK. I hope that this stance of the UK will set an example for the other countries.

Another recent development is the recommencement of the ferry boat services between the TRNC and Syria. Within the context of our bilateral meetings with many Islamic countries, we have been warmly welcomed by the Syrian authorities. Our intensive contacts resulted in the recommencement of Latakia – Famagusta ferry boat services after nearly 30 years. The commencement of the services also gave way to the European Commission to clarify its position vis a vis our ports, which confirms the fact that there is no legal restriction for the use of our seaports. However, this position is vehemently opposed by the Greek Cypriot side.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are of the belief that the lifting of isolation on the Turkish Cypriot people will urge the Greek Cypriot side to adopt a cooperative stance. The Turkish Cypriot side does not consider the lifting of isolation as a substitution of a solution in Cyprus but rather as a vehicle towards it. In this context, I call on the international community and particularly to the EU not to bow to the Greek Cypriot blackmailing and to intensify all efforts to lift the isolation. This will not only be conducive to the efforts for finding a solution but will correct more than 4 decade-old injustice done to the Turkish Cypriot people, whose basic human rights in the 21^st century continue to be violated. I call upon all of you here to extend your helping hand to the Turkish Cypriot people to end the discrimination they have been subjected to.

Thank you.

 

MINISTER USAR: “WE AGREED ON JOINT STUDIES AGAINST ISOLATION”

The Minister of Public Works and Communications Salih Usar who is currently in Hamburg, Germany is continuing his contacts. Within the framework of his contacts, Minister Usar met with the Minister of Economy of German State of Hamburg Günter Bonz. Usar also met with various investors, discussed the ways of improving cooperation and agreed on engaging in joint studies for lifting unjust the isolation imposed upon the Turkish Cypriot people.

During his with Bonz at Hamburg State Parliament, Usar gave information the current situation in Cyprus and discussed ways of jointly working for the lifting of the Turkish Cypriots’ isolation.

Explaining that investors from Hamburg would carry out technical investigations in the TRNC, Usar expressed belief that they would carry joint projects with the investors from Hamburg particularly in the fields of electricity and water.

Considering his contacts as a positive start, Usar said he invited the Minister of Economy of German State of Hamburg Günter Bonz to the TRNC.

Responding to a question, Minister Usar said the Greek Cypriot administration is preventing TRNC’s initiatives in almost all fields, including foreigners who wanted to participate in academic and scientific meetings in the TRNC, however the world was not taking seriously these types of preventions anymore.

For his part, Bonz stated that they held a fruitful meeting with Usar and added that this meeting was realized after the SAG Company in Hamburg interested in making investments in the field of infrastructure in the TRNC.