Atalay: if a solution is not found in Cyprus, Turkey might take other steps
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.11.13) reports that Besir Atalay, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Cyprus, has alleged that they are determined on the issue of reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem, but if this does not happen, Turkey might take “other steps”.
Atalay arrived yesterday in the occupied area of Cyprus in order to participate in the celebrations on the occasion of the anniversary of breakaway regime’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI). In his statements at Esenboga airport before his departure, Atalay said that there is an activity recently on the Cyprus problem, that the process goes well and that the UN, Greece and Turkey have undertaken a more active role in this process. He alleged that from the very beginning, Turkey has wanted a solution based on justice and that this is the policy of the “TRNC” as well.
“We are determined on the issue of reaching a solution regarding Cyprus. However, if this does not happen, Turkey might take other steps. We do not want these problems to continue eternally”, he added.
After arriving in the occupied area of Cyprus, Atalay met separately with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, the “speaker” of the so-called assembly, Sibel Siber and the self-styled prime minister of the regime, Ozkan Yorgancioglu.
In statements during his meeting with Eroglu, Atalay said that he is accompanied by experts who will discuss with technical committees of the breakaway regime the point at which the “economic program” has reached. Atalay noted that they will do whatever they can for the “TRNC” to further develop economically and develop its “democracy”.
In his turn, Eroglu said that all countries might face economic problems and added that they are trying to overcome their problems together with their motherland Turkey.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Eroglu alleged that they were trying to resume the negotiations process, but the Greek Cypriot side “is playing with time”. He argued that the world should see these “realities” and alleged: “Time has come for them to warn the Greek Cypriots”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (15.11.13) wonders whether they are heading “towards privatization step by step” and reports that Atalay “attracted attention with his crowded delegation”. The paper notes that the crowded technical team is expected to work on the issue of privatizations. It is said that priority will be given to the telecommunication and electricity “departments”.
According to the paper, referring to the Cyprus problem, Atalay claimed that they will always play a constructive role in the negotiations process, but if the “delaying tactics” of the Greek Cypriots continue, they will be “freer in alternative policies”.