ERÇAKICA: "UNFICYP STARTED A
NEW CONSULTATION PROCESS FOR OPENING OF LOKMACI BORDER GATE"
Presidential Spokesman Hasan Erçakıca in
his weekly press conference held yesterday (11 January) stated that the
UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) officials initiated
a new consultation process regarding the opening of the Lokmacı Gate.
Following is the full statement of the Spokesman Hasan Erçakıca:
"The removal of the footbridge at
Lokmacı Gate on 9 January 2007 has been another concrete step taken by the
Turkish Cypriot side towards the opening of the Lokmacı Gate.
The Turkish Cypriot side has once again
proved by this initiative that it is ready to contribute any kind of
initiative that will be helpful in promoting the relations between the two
peoples.
Yesterday, the UNFICYP officials
initiated a new consultation process regarding the measures that should be
taken for the opening of the Lokmacı Gate. However, contrary to the claims
of the Greek Cypriot side, Turkish Cypriot side has received an official
proposal neither in December 2005 nor yesterday. It should be reiterated
once more that the statements by the Greek Cypriot side including their
claims that they have conveyed their demand for a meeting concerning the
said issue right after the announcement that the bridge will be removed,
do not reflect the truth.
The conditions stipulated by the Greek
Cypriot authorities via media for not opening the Lokmacı Gate are not
acceptable. Now, the Greek Cypriot side is expected to pull down the wall
of shame left in the Greek Cypriot side of the Lokmacı barricade and
enable of the crossings between the two sides as in other crossing points."
Meanwhile speaking on the issue to
Cyprus Turkish News Agency (TAK) Spokesman of the UNFICYP Brian Kelly
confirmed that they had started a new process regarding the Lokmacı Gate.
Pointing out that they were in contact
with both sides in the island for the opening of the Lokmacı Gate to
crossings, Kelly said they were ready to spend every effort for bringing
the two sides together on this issue as well as on other substantial
issues such as achieving progress in 8 July process and the formation of
technical committees. Kelly added that it was UN’s duty to help both sides
to achieve progress on these issues.
