ERCAKICA: “Negotiations should be held so as to reach an urgent and comprehensIve settlement of the Cyprus problem”

Presidential Spokesman Hasan Ercakica in his weekly press conference held yesterday (17 July) stated the following:

“Various statements are being made recently regarding the 15 July dated Greek coup and 20 July dated Peace Operation.

Therefore, it is necessary to point out to the fundamentals of the Cyprus problem once again:

1. As it could also be understood from the assessments regarding 15 July and 20 July, Cyprus problem has not started in 1974. As a matter of fact, the Turkish Cypriots consider the 20 July dated Peace Operation as independence whereas the Greek Cypriots consider it as a disaster. It is clear that prior problems between the two peoples have led to completely different emotions and thoughts upon the developments during those times.

2. The Cyprus problem cannot be undertaken as “a problem of occupation and invasion” as alleged by the Greek Cypriot leaders. While they define the 20 July dated Operation as “occupation and invasion”, they are reluctant to explain what had happened during 15 July dated coup. However, the whole world is aware that after 15 July 1974 dated coup, it was declared that Cyprus was a “Helen Republic”. Also, the Greek Cypriots attempted to seize all the rights of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey originating from international agreements. Therefore, 20 July dated Operation was the consequence of these attempts. It is not a problem of “occupation and invasion” but a problem of attempting to usurp the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

Mentioning 15 July dated coup and 20 July dated Peace Operation, another fact should also be underlined. Despite the military advantage of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey as a result of the 20 July dated Operation, the Turkish Cypriot side still wishes to have negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side and to reach a mutually acceptable settlement for the Cyprus problem. This is the most important element that determines our daily agenda. However, the fact that the Greek Cypriots are exploiting the advantage of being recognized as “the Republic of Cyprus” proves the efforts spent for a settlement futile.

The Greek Cypriot leaders do not only distort the facts regarding the Cyprus problem but they also attempt to make use of the distortion they make as the basis of their policies. Despite the fact that 33 years have passed since the 1974 incidents, they still pursue usurping our rights on Cyprus. Today, this is called a search for OSMOSIS. As it is known, the Greek Cypriot leaders themselves clearly state that they are spending efforts to integrate the Turkish Cypriots into the Republic of Cyprus, which has now turned into a Greek Cypriot Republic. It is not possible to reach a settlement via these methods. None of the measures that were taken to that end have ever become successful.

Negotiations should be held so as to reach an urgent and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

As the Turkish Cypriot side we are working for an urgent, just and comprehensive settlement. The parameters we work in line with are the UN parameters that have been accepted in general. The settlement that will be reached would establish a bi zonal common state based on the political equality of the two peoples. We would like to state once again that we are ready to work for a settlement that will be based on these parameters.”

Spokesman Ercakica responding to the questions of the press members said President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos would meet in the forthcoming days. Ercakica referring to the last-minute cancellation of the friendly football match, which was expected to be played between last year’s super-league champion team of the TRNC, Cetinkaya and English League One team Luton Town, as a result of the Greek Cypriot side’s attitude, said this had broken the positive atmosphere. He added that the atmosphere should get better and that if the Greek Cypriot side did not back out, the meeting between the two leaders would be realized.

On being reminded that following the cancellation of the football match between Cetinkaya and Luton Town, President Mehmet Ali Talat refused to set a date for a meeting with Papadopoulos, Ercakica said: “Unacceptable attitude displayed by the Greek Cypriot side in order to prevent the said football match has aroused indignation amongst the Turkish Cypriot people. Our President has also regretted this situation therefore, it was necessary to show a reaction.”

Referring to the 8 July process, Ercakica stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side only rejected to set a date for the meeting at this stage, it did not reject the meeting.

 

20 JULY PEACE AND FREEDOM DAY…

33rd anniversary of 20 July 1974 Peace Operation, which is the turning point in Cyprus’ history that saved the Turkish Cypriot people from massacres and brought peace and freedom in the island, will be celebrated on Friday (20 July), with various events throughout the TRNC.

20^th of July is the 33^rd anniversary of 1974 Happy Peace Operation launched by Turkey, which, by using its rights stemming from Treaty of Guarantee and of Alliance as a guarantor power, intervened in the island in order to save the Turkish Cypriot people from Greek Cypriot attacks that had been continuing for 11 years.

Within the framework of 20 July Peace and Freedom Day celebrations, besides high-level officials from Turkey, many foreign guests would also come to the TRNC in order to attend the ceremonies.