Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.05.15) reports on statements made by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci during their joint press conference yesterday, following their meeting in Ankara.
According to the paper, both Erdogan and Akinci sent important messages on the Cyprus problem and expressed the wish for 2015 to be the year of the solution.
In his statements Erdogan, expressed his pleasure to have “president” Akinci and his accompanying delegation in Turkey and said: “Mr. President is paying his first foreign visit to Turkey after assuming his duties. I congratulate Mr. President once again for his success in the elections and I wish him success. The presidential elections in north Cyprus have proved once again the level of democracy in the TRNC”.
Supporting that the “elections” were held in a transparent and peaceful environment where unity, solidarity and democracy prevailed again, Erdogan added: “I believe we will make significant progress in defending the legitimate rights of Turkish Cypriots and reaching a fair and permanent solution on Cyprus, our national cause.”
Stating that during his meeting with Akinci, they had the opportunity to discuss what should be done and what kind of steps should be taken regarding the Cyprus problem and the Cyprus negotiations which are expected to resume soon, Erdogan emphasized that they maintain their determination to find a fair and permanent solution to the Cyprus issue. “Our priority is to achieve a comprehensive solution. We have supported all well-intentioned approaches and the efforts of the UN and we will continue to do so”, said Erdogan.
Referring to the Cyprus negotiation talks which are expected to resume in the next days, Erdogan said: “Our wish is to reach to a result the soonest possible within the framework of the principles of the 11th February joint declaration. I would like to underline a point here; It is not possible to achieve any result with the unilateral efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side. So far, our Turkish Cypriot brothers have exerted all kinds of efforts, have shown a strong will and proved that they are the side that wants a solution. The Greek Cypriot side should quit from making this situation more difficult and show sincere efforts towards a solution. If this happens, we believe 2015 can be the year of the solution in Cyprus. This solution opportunity should not be wasted again like it happened in 2004. The solution can only be reached on a negotiation table within the framework of the United Nations. Trying to achieve an outcome in other ways by pressuring Turkey or the Turkish Cypriots is in vain. As a guarantor country, we will continue to support the efforts towards reaching a fair and lasting solution, like we did so far. We will always be by the side of Mr President and his negotiating team to be formed. Our unity and solidarity is our real power. There is also one point that should not be missed; a fair and lasting solution in Cyprus is in the interests of not only the involved sides on the island but also of the EU and the whole international community. In this regard, Greece should join efforts with us and make the necessary contribution to pave the way for a comprehensive solution. We will continue to encourage Greece towards this direction.”
Erdogan stated also that together with Akinci, they discussed what steps should be taken to further strengthen the ties of cooperation between the two “countries”. “Until today, we had a very close relation and cooperation with both President Eroglu and President Talat. We regularly reviewed all matters, particularly our national cause, Cyprus, and we realized the decisions we took”.
Referring to the water transfer project from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus, Erdogan underlined that Turkey is carrying out a grand project, which can be described as the project of the century, to permanently meet the “TRNC’s” need for water. “With the Water Supply Project, we will annually transport 75 million cubic meters of water from Dragon Creek to Gecitkoy [Panagra] via an 81 kilometer-long pipeline under the Mediterranean Sea. The project is about to be completed. I hope it will be finished in July or August this year. In the same way, we will be by the side of our Turkish Cypriot brothers and continue to support them with economic aid in all fields and for developing their tourism and education”.
Emphasizing that they will always protect the “legitimate rights” of Turkish Cypriots in the Cyprus cause, which is their struggle for equality and rights, Erdogan said: “We will overcome all difficulties together as we have always done and we will march towards a brighter future. Nobody should have any concerns or doubts about that.”
Noting that he believes they, with President Akinci and his team, will maintain their cooperation and regular and close consultation, President Erdogan ended his speech as follows: “I welcome President Mustafa Akinci and his delegation once again and I wish him success in this difficult and important duty he assumed during such a critical time”.
On his part, Akinci called the President of the Republic of Cyprus to join the vision of the solution with him and stated that they will be in close cooperation, dialogue and consultation with Turkey in order to lead the process to a successful result.
Noting that the Cyprus problem is in a crucial point, Akinci said that the positive atmosphere which was created in the international community especially after his election victory encourages them.
Akinci pointed out that the solution is not possible to be reached only with the Turkish Cypriot side’s goodwill and wishes that President Nicos Anastasiades will share his vision for a solution.
Recalling that Anastasiades has said yes to the Annan plan in 2004 and afterwards he has changed his stance, Akinci assured that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to show a sincere stance and exert efforts towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and expressed the wish that 2015 will be the year of the solution.
Supporting that the solution is a mutual need of both sides and that a possible solution will be for the interest of everyone, Akinci said that the issue of natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean should not be a means of disputes but it should be turned to a connective element for the future. “The economic crisis experienced in the Greek Cypriot side due to their admission to the EU, can constitute an additional motivation for the solution. The Greek Cypriots should have the perception of the need for the solution. I hope that they will understand the necessity for the solution. If this happens, we will do all necessary to reach a solution which will be for the interest not only of the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots but also for Greece and for all the actors in the region”.
Stating that with the cooperation of Turkey they will try to turn Cyprus to an island of stability for the Eastern Mediterranean, Akinci added that his vision is also to have a close cooperation with Turkey in order to have the best possible results in the Cyprus negotiation talks to be launched soon.
Akinci concluded his statements by thanking Turkey for its interest and support and said that they will continue their path with the Turkish leadership.