Cavusoglu: The Turkish Cypriots will decide on the guarantors’ issue
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (30.05.15), in its front page with the above title, reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the guarantees will continue as long as the Turkish Cypriots want.
Speaking at a meeting at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Cavusoglu referred to the issue of guarantees, adding that there is a strong consensus both in Turkey and the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). He also claimed: “We are sincere, if the Greek Cypriot side is sincere too, then we will resolve this problem within this year”.
Cavusoglu stressed that Turkey will remain as a guarantor power in Cyprus as long as the Turkish Cypriot “people” want it to do so.
Criticizing the Greek Cypriot side for bringing up the issue of guarantees so early in the process, Cavusoglu said: “Instead of focusing on the more urgent matters, the Greek Cypriots brought up the issue just so to water down the process” and added that the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades is now giving positive messages.
He further said: “What is the duty of the Greek Cypriot negotiator? To focus on solving or reaching convergences on all the outstanding issues such as territory or the fenced off city of Varosha with a win-win formula. There are already convergences in the process. What is this? This is trying to shift the agenda elsewhere. Why are you throwing the ball somewhere else instead of negotiating the technical issues? Whenever things start going in the right direction they try and throw the ball somewhere else. This opportunity should not be wasted”.
Cavusoglu stressed that Turkey will not give up its guarantor rights unless it is the wish of the Turkish Cypriot “people” and added: “We are in Cyprus as guarantors. They need to feel secure. We are not the ones responsible for the stage we have reached today. Let us not go back to the past and dwell on what was done against the Turkish Cypriot people”.
Cavusoglu also called out to the Greek Cypriot administration (translator’s note: as he refers to the Cyprus government) to stop creating false agendas and to focus towards achieving a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.