Davutoglu on the Cyprus problem
Illegal Bayrak television on Turkish (19.03.12-) publishes statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who in an interview to a magazine published in Egypt, referred to the Cyprus problem and reiterated that the opportunity for the solution to be found to the Cyprus problem has been reduced remarkably because of the Greek Cypriot’s EU Term Presidency on July 1st.
Davutoglu stated that even though the “South Cyprus”, as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus will take over the EU Term Presidency on July 2012, the Turkish Cypriot side is determined to continue exerting efforts for the solution, adding that Turkey will continue supporting them [Translator’s note: means the Turkish Cypriots] until the end.
Davutoglu added also the following: “There is still some hope: If the UN’s Secretary-General Special Advisor on Cyprus, Alexander Downer evaluates on March the negotiation process in a positive manner, the Secretary-General may call for a high level meeting on April or at the beginning of May. The result that may come up from this meeting might be an agreement for a new partnership to be in Cyprus that will overtake on July 1st the EU Term Presidency. However, all these hopes would not mean anything if the Greek Cypriot side will not be sincere at the negotiations”.
(AK)
Bagis reiterated that Turkey will recognize the Republic of Cyprus’ EU term Presidency only if a solution is found on the Cyprus problem; Turkey’s EU aspirations a child’s play
According to illegal Bayrak television (17.03.12), the Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis has likened the “Greek Cypriot administration’s” European Union term presidency to children who take the seats of state officials during celebrations of the 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. He said that the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus will have the same amount of authority that children have.
Delivering a speech at the 25th meeting of the Reform Monitoring Group in Istanbul, Bagis said Turkey would recognize the Greek Cypriot side’s presidency if only a mutually acceptable solution is found in Cyprus before the 1st of July.
He also reminded that the Turkish government is carrying out a policy on Cyprus which is focused on a solution.
Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.03.12) Bagis told reporters in Istanbul on Friday that Turkey would not treat the “Greek Cypriot administration” as a state just because some others were calling it the president.
Bagis said that Turkey would welcome the EU presidency of the “Greek Cypriot administration” if the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities reached a solution before July 1, based on political equality that could also be accepted by their communities. “We can also accept EU presidency of the Greek Cypriot administration if there is an umbrella state established by two founder states before July 1”.
Bagis said Turkey could hold negotiations with that rotating president in the mentioned cases; however, if there was no solution in Cyprus and if the “Greek Cypriot administration” contacted Turkey, as the rotating president of the union, Turkey would not see it as an interlocutor. “We do not treat countries we do not recognize as a state just because some others call it ‘the president’,” Bagis said.
Bagis said however, Turkey would go on with its relations with the European Commission, member states, and the European Parliament in such a case. “Turkey would not lose anything if it did not hold Association Council meeting during the rotating presidency of the Greek Cypriot administration and if the Union did not open negotiations with Turkey in that period”, Bagis also said.
In response to a question regarding a deadlock in the Cyprus issue, Bagis indicated that it would not be a problem should Turkey freeze relations with the EU if Cyprus takes the EU term presidency on July 1. He noted that Turkey has always supported the need for a solution regarding the reunification of the divided island on equal terms between its Greek and Turkish communities. He said the Turkish stance regarding its non-recognition of Greek Cyprus will not change by mid-summer.