Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (11.01.17) reports that Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, addressing the 9th Ambassadors Conference in Ankara yesterday, referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus problem and argued that the rehearsal for Turkey becoming a member of the EU will start with the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Referring to the Geneva talks, Yildirim said: “The security and trust between the two communities is not enough. Already a great distance has been covered on a lot of issues but still, Turkey is interested on this issue. A system of fair and equal governance in the island should be guaranteed. In the light of the painful events of the past, everything should be guaranteed. And for the Turkish Cypriot side the guarantee is Turkey. For the Greek Cypriot side it is Greece. Our biggest wish is the continuation of the negotiations talks which together with a fair and lasting peace in the island, will bring a solution based on the existence of two founding states with rotational presidency. We have contributed towards this direction and we will continue to do so”, Yildirim alleged.
Referring to Turkey’s EU bid, Yildirim stressed the need for the EU not to be on the edge of the cliff as it did during 2004. “In 2004, we were deceived. Most correctly, the Turkish Cypriots were deceived. This time we said that the same thing should not happen. If a solution is reached, then the Turkish Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot side will simultaneously become EU members and no concessions should be made on the issue of the four fundamental freedoms. No injustice should be implemented. The freedom of movement and of course, the free movement of people, services and capitals should be provided to Turkey as well. That means, that the rehearsal of Turkey becoming a member of the EU could start from Cyprus. All these issues should be examined and be discussed and we hope that a good outcome will come up”, Yildirim also stated.