Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (03.04.12) reported that issues which are important for Turkey had come onto the agenda of the meeting that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held with the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, during the latter’s visit to Istanbul to participate in the “Friends of Syria Conference”.
As regards the Cyprus problem, the Turkish side referred to the letter sent by the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in which Eroglu reportedly said that he and the Turkish Cypriots are in favour of a solution. According to the paper, the message given to Clinton is the following: “Eroglu’s patience will be exhausted, if there is no result by 1 July. In this situation there will be no other chance left than two separate states on the island. The Greek Cypriots are the side which should get into action for the solution”. Clinton has reportedly said that they wish a solution in the direction of the UN parameters and that they will continue to encourage the sides for this.
According to Hurriyet, messages were given to Clinton on two other issues as well: the Armenian issue and the Armenian genocide, and the opening of the Theological School in Halki. The Turkish side argued that the “allegations” as regards the genocide must stop. Clinton said she knows very well Turkey’s “sensitivities” on this issue and added that she does not expect any initiative which will escalate tension this year. Erdogan and Davutoglu said they were ready to normalize their relations with Armenia, but the latter should stop putting forward allegations on the issue of the Armenian genocide.
As regards the opening of the Theological School in Halki, Clinton said they were satisfied with the steps on the issue of the religious freedoms in Turkey and added that they expected the opening of the Theological School in Halki within this framework. The Turkish side replied that they continue their efforts for this, but the Greek Government as well must take steps on the issue of the election of a mufti in Western Thrace. According to the paper, Clinton said she was expecting positive developments on this issue.