Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.04.14) reports that the political parties which are represented in the “assembly” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus have said that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu’s meeting with the UN Secretary-General in New York was a positive development and pointed out to the importance of such contacts.
In statements to Kibris, the vice president of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), Serhat Kotak said they could not say many things on Eroglu’s contacts because they have no detailed information, but he reiterated the satisfaction of his party with Eroglu’s policy.
Armagan Candan, foreign relations secretary of the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) described as “important” the fact that the evaluation of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the point to which the negotiations have come was submitted to the UN Secretary-General. He noted though that some question marks exist as to whether Ban Ki-moon will be personally involved in the process. He added that the sides “could not create a position that would secure a very serious contribution by the UN Secretary-General” in the process. Candan pointed out that we have witnessed Eroglu’s insistence on the issue of the joint statement which was concluded on 11 February [2014] and the fact that this “exercise” lasted for months. He noted that Eroglu’s political past is an “indication of his unwillingness for a federal solution”. “He has no vision regarding the rapprochement of the two communities”, he noted.
Sunat Atun, general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), argued that Eroglu has shown a real leadership during the on-going process. Atun described as useful Eroglu’s contact with the UN from the point of view of conveying the Turkish Cypriot views to the international organization.
Mehmet Harmanci, general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), has said that the Turkish Cypriot side s following a policy aiming at dragging the UN officials into the negotiating process from now on, but the stance of the UN on this issue has not yet been clarified.