PRIME MINISTER SOYER: “NEGOTIATION PROCESS SHOULD BE ACCELERATED IN 2008”

In an interview with a private Turkish television channel, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer evaluated the Cyprus problem and the recent developments.

Stressing that the negotiation process on the Cyprus issue should be speeded up in 2008 and the two sides should sit at the negotiations table for fully-fledged negotiations Prime Minister Soyer said the Cyprus problem has always been important for both Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.

Prime Minister Soyer said that there are two main principles for a solution in Cyprus; one is the right of Turkish Cypriot people to rule itself in its territory and the other is the continuation of Turkey’s guarantorship over the island.

Pointing out that it was possible to reach a settlement in Cyprus on the basis of these principles, Soyer said: “Non-solution will cause difficulties for both Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey”.

Stating that the Greek Cypriot administration could not continue to avoid a solution by using the benefits of its EU membership, Soyer said various solution plans for the settlement of the Cyprus problem were negotiated but no settlement could be achieved as a result of the Greek Cypriot administration’s unconstructive approach.

Reminding that during the election campaigns carried in South Cyprus, in the period when the Annan plan was in the process of negotiation, the Greek Cypriot politicians in their speeches promised to continue spending efforts towards a solution under the UN auspices, even if they become an EU member without a settlement, Soyer said however, the Greek Cypriot administration did not keep its promise and Tassos Papadopoulos rejected to meet President Mehmet Ali Talat in Bürgenstock. Soyer added that moreover Papadopoulos rejected the Annan plan and showed that it was the Greek Cypriot administration which was against a solution.

Underlining that after the “yes” vote of the Turkish Cypriot people to the Annan plan, there have been many positive developments in the Turkish Cypriot side both in terms of economy and foreign politics, Soyer said the world have started to talk about the Turkish Cypriot people and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as well as the need for lifting the isolation imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to the UN Secretary General’s statements and report on Cyprus as positive developments, Prime Minister said the statement to the effect that the Greek Cypriot administration was pursuing a wrong policy towards the solution of the Cyprus problem was a very important development.

Soyer underlined the need for the international community to adopt a determined approach on the lifting of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people and the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Soyer reminded that the Turkish Cypriot people were exporting and importing goods until 1995 when the Greek Cypriot side managed to block the exports and imports as a result of its initiatives by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). He added that the Direct Trade Regulation and Financial Aid Regulations were prepared in order to overcome this problem.

 

Referring to the positive developments after the Annan plan, Prime Minister Soyer said the opening of the EU Office in North Cyprus was one of the examples to the positive developments.

Explaining that the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church had an important role in the non-solution of the Cyprus problem and was now preparing a solution plan, Soyer said how the Greek Cypriot administration with such a structure could be a secular state and become an EU member.

Soyer pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people has both democratic and secular state, said: “We respect the people’s religious beliefs but we are following the developments on the issue with concern”.

Soyer referring to the statements made recently by the EU that it was a mistake to accept the Greek Cypriot side’s membership without a settlement in the island said this was an important step and added that the European Union should encourage the Greek Cypriot side for a solution to be found under the aegis of the United Nations.

“The EU is excluding the Turkish Cypriot people, who desire reunification on the basis of equality, which is also a thesis supported by itself. It recognizes Kosovo and Montenegro, then where are the principles of the EU?” said Soyer adding that the negotiations process should be speeded up in 2008 and the negotiation table should be set up immediately, because the Greek Cypriot administration was trying to eliminate the UN basis for a settlement.