Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (10.02.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has argued that there is no meaning to continue the negotiations after 1 July 2012, when the Republic of Cyprus will assume the EU term presidency. In an interview yesterday with Turkish journalist Selim Sayari, NTV’s correspondent to the occupied part of Lefkosia, Eroglu said he is losing his hope as regards reaching an agreement with the Greek Cypriot side, which has allegedly the mentality of “always taking and not giving”.
The interview was in simultaneously broadcast by NTV and illegal Bayrak television.
Eroglu alleged that President Christofias is delaying the negotiations with the aim of being able to secure the support of two opposition parties in the presidential elections which will be held in 2013. Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot “people” are getting tired of following the negotiations with no result.
Asked what will be their plan in case no solution is reached by 1 July, Eroglu said: “The Turkish Cypriots cannot remain out in the cold. We are not out in the cold. We have a state. We have to protect this state”.
Eroglu argued that if there is no result in the negotiations with this last effort, this for the Turkish side would mean that there is no point in continuing the negotiations.
Asked whether the federal formula will be on the table after 1 July, Eroglu alleged that the time has come for the UN Secretary-General and the UN to see the realities, that federations in the world are dissolved, that insistently pursuing a federation in such a time, in spite of the fact that the Greek Cypriots oppose to federation, gave no result until today and it should be seen that this possibility decreased, and in the light of all these, the UN should determine its strategy.
Eroglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side continues the negotiations with the intention of finding an agreement but it is clear and obvious that the other side does not exhibit the same will. Eroglu argued that the Greek Cypriot side was saying “no” to everything at the second tripartite summit held recently at the Greentree in New York. He said that they suggested to the UN Secretary-General to take a decision from now on “because it is not possible to reach an agreement in these conditions”.
Eroglu said that on Tuesday the meetings of the leaders will resume, that the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor Alexander Downer will prepare a report and that Ban Ki-moon will decide whether a multilateral conference will be held and whether it is possible to have a result from the negotiations. “In our view, if no result is taken with a last effort in the ongoing negotiations, it would be tantamount to that there is absolutely no meaning to continue these negotiations”, he added.
Eroglu said that the issue of guarantees should be decided at the multilateral conference and that the map and the figures on the territory issue could be discussed after the date of this conference is determined.
Asked about the stance of the Greek Cypriot side in the negotiations, Eroglu alleged that President Christofias is delaying the talks because he is considering of becoming a candidate in the presidential elections to be held in 2013 and wants to secure the support of at least two opposition parties. He claimed: “It is not possible to agree with a person having this mentality. You can be as flexible as you want. You remain with your flexibility. You do not see a step from the Greek Cypriot side”.
Responding to a question as regards what will happen if the negotiations continue in the same manner, Eroglu said that the federation in Cyprus is discussed since 1968 and alleged that it is not possible to reach an agreement with a mentality which says “no” and could not even make use of the Annan Plan that would distress the Turkish Cypriots.
Eroglu argued that the Greek Cypriot side exerts efforts to take advantage of its “no” vote to the Annan Plan and that President Christofias has the mentality of wanting more than the Annan Plan in order for being able to persuade his people. He alleged: “The Annan Plan ceased to exist. As long as Christofias thinks of having a better plan than the Annan Plan, he will always be asking from me. Mr Christofias only knows the word ‘take’. He does not know the word ‘give’. This is an issue which will be solved with mutual give and take. The Greek Cypriot side has no intention of entering into a give and take process. I should take but give nothing; [it says]?As a person who wants agreement at the negotiating table, I am losing hope. I see the stance of the Greek Cypriot side at the negotiating table and that they have no intention to agree?I think that if an agreement will be reached, it will be reached by 1 July. If we could not, the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council and the world must see this reality?The reality is that the Turkish Cypriot side is tired of pursuing, following these negotiations. I think that alternatives must come onto the agenda.”
Responding to a question, Eroglu argued that he is the most patient politician in the “country”, but added that “the negotiations have become boring”. He alleged that he takes steps in the negotiations, but the other side does not respond and tries to gain time.
