PRESIDENT TALAT: “THE TWO LEADERS SHOULD MEET”

President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday (8 March) speaking in Istanbul during the signing ceremony of a protocol on “Navigation Education” between the European University of Lefke and the Istanbul Chamber of Shipping and Turkish Sea Education Foundation, gave detailed information about the latest developments and the future plans of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the Cyprus problem. 

President Talat referring to the recent allegation of the Greek Cypriot side that: “they sent a letter to the Turkish Cypriot side”, stated that the document delivered to the Turkish Cypriot side was in fact a “non-paper”, not a letter. 

Stressing that the only way to take a forward step in the Cyprus problem was through face to face meeting of the two leaders, Talat said the real problem regarding the Cyprus issue was that the Greek Cypriots did not see the Turkish Cypriots as their equals and did not want to share power with them on the basis of equality. President Talat added that the Turkish Cypriot side would overcome this problem by pursuing a stable and right policy and spending effort to influence the foreign policies of both the EU member countries and other countries implementing the rules of international law towards Cyprus. 

President Talat pointed out that today the Turkish Cypriots were pursuing a very powerful policy in the international political arena against the Greek Cypriots. He added that the main international organization for the solution of the Cyprus problem was the UN and that the EU was also expressing this. 

President Talat stated that the time was passing and the Turkish Cypriot side desired to “settle the Cyprus problem comprehensively including the daily issues, by establishing technical committees headed by the leaders of the two peoples”.

 

PRESIDENT TALAT: “DEFENSE AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE AND FRANCE IS AGAINST INTERNATIONAL LAW”

President Mehmet Ali Talat pointing out that the signing of a defense agreement between the Greek Cypriot side and France was contrary to international law, said the Greek Cypriot side signed this agreement by using it EU membership.

“Greek Cypriot side often engages in such initiatives. It signed a defense agreement with France.  It also signed an oil agreement with Lebanon and Egypt. On the other hand, the Turkish Cypriot side is working very actively, but the Greek Cypriot side is exploiting its unilateral EU membership against us in every platform. The EU membership is in a sense conciliation, cooperation and peace. Despite this fact, the Greek Cypriot side is using the advantage of its membership against us and Turkey at every opportunity. Defense agreement with France is one example to this stance. This agreement is against international law, Treaty of Guarantee and of Establishment,” said the President.

President Talat added that the Turkish Cypriot side would prevent the Greek Cypriot side from achieving its goals by taking measures in order to protect and preserve the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people.

 

PRIME MINISTER SOYER MET WITH HOON

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer who is currently in London, yesterday met with the UK Minister of State for Europe Geoff Hoon at the House of Commons.

It was reported that during the meeting they focused on the steps to be taken towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and Prime Minister Soyer expressed Hoon the readiness of the Turkish Cypriot side to start the studies between the working groups in accordance with “Gambari process”, that the Turkish Cypriot side had fulfilled its responsibilities regarding the said process, would continue its struggle for including the TRNC universities in the “Bologna process” and that they expected support from the UK.

Prime Minister Soyer will hold a press meeting at the TRNC’s representative office in London today.