Eroglu assesses the developments in the Cyprus problem and the internal politics of the Turkish Cypriot community
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi online newspaper (22.05.13) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has alleged that the Greek Cypriot leadership continues to avoid sitting at the negotiating table by “showing as pretext” its economic issues. In statements today at a press conference, Eroglu assessed the developments regarding the Cyprus problem and the internal politics of the Turkish Cypriot community.
Eroglu argued that his invitation for having dinner with the UN Secretary-General’s special adviser, Alexander Downer [and President Anastasiades] has been postponed twice and alleged, inter alia, the following:
“25 April is not our proposal. It was Mr Downer’s proposal. The proposal for the 29th of May was not our proposal as well. The Cyprus problem should not be further prolonged. A result should be reached with the existing realities… What is the drawback of discussing the methodology regarding the negotiating process and the way by which we could produce our road map? Anastasiades will demand from the Secretary-General to relieve Downer of his duty. If something like this happens, this is tantamount to transferring the negotiations to 2015”.
Referring to self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk’s visits abroad and the latter’s accusations against him, Eroglu said he was not against Kucuk’s holding contacts abroad and added that all political parties will, of course, hold contacts. “The important thing is the context and the level of the contacts. I will not reply to him [Translator’s note: to Irsen Kucuk] in the same manner. I observe that he does not follow our efforts”, he said. Eroglu noted that they have held various visits abroad and explained their views. He added that he has visited Saudi Arabia upon a special invitation and held contacts with some business circles as well. He noted that last February, he met with many heads of Islamic states in Cairo. “We met with the leadership of some countries. Mr Ertug met with officials from the Foreign Office of the United Kingdom”, he added.
Referring to his relations with Ankara, Eroglu said that during his political life he has been supporting that their relations with Ankara must be upgraded to the highest level. He claimed that some of his opponents give wrong information to Ankara about him and added that he has always said that the “TRNC cannot live without her motherland”. “However, sometimes wrong comments are made about me in the press. I am 40 years in the market. If Ankara does not know me already, it is not possible for her to know me from now on”, he said.
Eroglu said that if there will be an agreement [on the Cyprus problem], the decision will be taken by the “TRNC people”. He argued that they consult with Turkey, just like the Greek Cypriots consult with Greece, but Ankara does allegedly not interfere in the negotiations. He alleged: “If you do not defend your state, others will speak on behalf of your state. The real need is for the TRNC people to defend their state. The duty until an agreement is reached is to defend our own state”.
Referring to the developments within the National Unity Party (UB), Eroglu said that things would not have come to this point, if Kucuk had behaved in a unifying manner and embraced his opponent, who had said that he accepted the result of the congress. He argued that the recent developments happened without his involvement and claimed that he had neither exerted any effort for the submission of a “motion of censure” against the UBP “government” by the three “opposition” parties, nor he supported early “elections”.
Eroglu said that the two things which are lacking from the occupied area of Cyprus is economic and political stability. “However, it is behaved as if these things exist”, he noted.