Erdogan In Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus

ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that they were in favor of lifting of every embargo imposed on Turkish and Greek Cypriots, adding, ''Turkey is ready for this, and also Greece should show the same courage.''
Following their meeting, Erdogan and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas held a joint press conference.
Erdogan said he wished that steps that were taken on the island on rapprochement would give rise to positive developments between the two sides on Cyprus.
Stressing that the sides should now fulfil their responsibilities, Erdogan said, ''positive approach can't be expected always from one side. The other side should also take positive steps. Turkey and the TRNC will continue to take steps in favor of both peoples on the island.''
Stressing that embargoes and restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriots were lacking in legitimate ground, Erdogan said, ''we are in favor of rapidly lifting of every embargo imposed on both sides on Cyprus.''
''Turkey and also Greece should take necessary measures regarding this issue. As Turkey, we are ready to do it. Also Greece has to show the same courage. Let's lift these embargoes together and take a step on the path to fair and lasting solution and turn Cyprus into a land of peace and tranquility,'' the Prime Minister noted.
ERDOGAN: ''WE ARE IN FAVOR OF LIFTING OF EVERY KIND OF EMBARGO IMPOSED ON TURKISH AND GREEK CYPRIOTS RAPIDLY''
Erdogan said that they were in favor of lifting of every embargo imposed on Turkish and Greek Cypriots, stating that, ''we believe that Turkey and Greece should do their best in this respect. As Turkey, we are ready for this. Let us work together and lift those embargoes. Let us take a step on the way to a just and lasting solution. Let us turn Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus a region of peace and tranquility.''
Stating that they supported the positive steps taken by Turkish Cypriot people, and that they would continue to support them, Erdogan said that statements about Maras, which is closed to settlement, and opening of borders on April 23 were important steps taken by Denktas and the TRNC administration, stressing that those steps included a serious message.
Erdogan said the new measures announced by the TRNC government, have the quality of strengthening positive atmosphere between the two sides on the island. He said they wished the approach and the steps would pave ways for positive developments.
Pointing out that the sides should fulfill their duties and that positive approaches could not be expected from only one side, Erdogan said, ''I think the other side should also take a positive step.''
Erdogan said Turkey and the TRNC would continue to take steps on the island which would be for the benefit of the two nations, adding that embargoes and restrictions imposed on Turkish Cypriot people did not have any legal basis.
Erdogan said he called on the international community, mainly the United Nations and the EU to contribute to this process. ''I am addressing from here. Let us lift the embargoes together. Let us take a step on the way to a just and lasting solution. Let us turn Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus a region of peace and tranquility.''
Erdogan said, ''Turkey and the TRNC favor a comprehensive compromise and solution on the basis of realities on the island. TRNC President Denktas always disclosed that he favored reaching a realistic solution. We believe that both leaders can negotiate a comprehensive solution on the basis of realities by benefiting from the positive atmosphere formed on the island. We are in consensus of opinion in this respect. We continue to support good will mission of the U.N. Security Council with the similar understanding. We want this to end successfully.''
Erdogan said they also discussed economic problems during today's talks, stating that they believed that an economic growth based on production would be provided in the TRNC. Erdogan said projects and programs, which would encourage investments, were put into implementation as a result of the joint studies carried out with the TRNC government.
Erdogan said his visit was meaningful, and that full membership to the EU was their fundamental target. Erdogan also said Turkey and Turkish Cypriots shared EU ideals and values.
Erdogan said the EU from now on should improve a realistic point of view and perspective toward Cyprus, adding, ''I think it should be a part of solution, not the problem.''
Erdogan said he thought that EU should contribute to the process on Cyprus in the coming period, and take into consideration that Turkish Cypriot side would be the equal founder of a partnership that would be founded on Cyprus.
DENKTAS: ''COMPROMISE IS NOT DIFFICULT IF WE REACH ON AGREEMENT UNDER SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES''
Denktas said that they were pleased with reaching agreement on every issue during their meeting with Erdogan and accompanying delegation.
Noting that Turkey had been making every self-sacrifice for peace on Cyprus for years and it was continuing to do so, Denktas said, ''Turkey continues to support the TRNC and its people in every field. We investigated every aspect of the Cyprus issue thoroughly and we saw that there can be compromise on Cyprus. Compromise is not difficult, it is possible if the sides respect each other's rights, accept each other's existence, sovereignty and equality and reach an agreement under specific principles.''
Stressing that Erdogan's visit 'pleased and encouraged" them, Denktas said, ''this visit inspired hope to our people. We will continue to seek ways of compromise with the motherland not to waste this hope.''
Asking the Greek Cypriot side to accept the Turkish Cypriot side's equality by giving up the policy it had been following for years, Denktas said that they could reach an agreement on the issue of exchange of properties, and this issue should be a reason for dispute between the two sides.
Replying questions of reporters, Denktas said that the sides did not reach an agreement on the plan presented by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, stressing that recognition of Greek Cypriots as legal government was the reason for failure in solution of the Cyprus issue for forty years.
Noting that the Greek Cypriot administration had been occupying the partnership republic for forty years, Denktas said Greek Cypriots were still talking about rescue of the northern part of Cyprus and they claimed that they achieved Enosis indirectly.
Denktas emphasized that Turkey had saved Turkish Cypriots from genocide but threat against Turkish Cypriots still continued, adding that Turkey's guarantor rights were still valid.
Meanwhile, TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said that Erdogan's visit to the TRNC on European Day would be very beneficial.
PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN SAYS THEY CONSIDER DEMANDS OF GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION ABOUT AIR CORRIDOR AND PORTS POSITIVELY IN CASE EMBARGOES ARE LIFTED
Prime Minister Erdogan replied questions of reporters following his joint news conference with TRNC President Rauf Denktas.
When Erdogan was reminded about the statements of Greek Cypriot administration leader Papadopoulos saying that visit of Erdogan to TRNC was not legal, he said, ''I am paying a legal visit.''
When asked what he thought about bringing Annan's plan onto the agenda again, Erdogan said the sides could benefit from Annan's plan after reaching an agreement on it.
Replying a question if it could be accepted, Erdogan said, ''sides can benefit from it. It can be negotiated.''
Upon the statements of Erdogan, Denktas said, ''the response is extremely clear. What the Secretary General said is also clear. He said it would be on the negotiation table in case both sides agree. There is nothing yet that the two sides agreed.''
Speaking about Serbia-Montenegro model, Denktas said, ''it is a model. It is a good model. There are two separate criteria. We think of all of them.''
Denktas said, ''they delayed the solution of Cyprus question for forty years by supporting an administration, which is not legal, as legal government.''
When a reporter said, ''Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul had stated that 'we may recognize southern Cyprus in case embargo on the TRNC is lifted,'' Erdogan said, ''I think there is a misunderstanding here. This is an assessment full of contradictions. Mr. Gul did not use such an expression. I would know if he had used it.''
Replying another question, Denktas said, ''Greek Cypriot administration has occupied partnership authority for forty years with use of weapon. It continues armament efforts. It continues statements like it would rescue the north from the enemy. They state that they achieved Ensosis indirectly. Thus this threat continues. Turkey made use of its rights stemming from guarantee agreements and saved us from genocide. Threat continues, so defense continues.''
When asked, ''do you say Turkey and Greece will solve the question?,'' Erdogan said, ''no TRNC and Greek Cypriot administration will do it.''
When asked for further explanation about lifting of embargoes, Erdogan said, ''we have a positive point of view toward lifting of embargoes. We are ready to expend every kind of support to TRNC in this respect. I believe that the embargoes will be lifted in case Greece encourages Greek Cypriot side to lift the embargoes.''
ERDOGAN REPLIES QUESTIONS OF GREEK CYPRIOT REPORTERS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the Ledra Palace border gate in Lefkosa.
Following his joint press conference with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas, Erdogan visited the Ledra Palace border gate together with TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu and ministers.
Replying questions of Greek Cypriot reporters there, Erdogan said that Cyprus would become an island of peace if the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides took mutual steps.
''Thus there would be increase in economic activities and we would open especially way of freedom in front of people by opening our ports and airports,'' he said.
When a Greek Cypriot journalist asked him, ''do I have to show passport in order to enter my country?'' Erdogan said, ''these can be overcome. These are very simple procedures and I believe that we can easily overcome such things. But firstly we have to reach mutual understanding and compromise.''
When asked whether or not he was determined in the issue of two separate states or whether or not he believed there could be an agreement on Cyprus, Erdogan said, ''we have red line. We have been saying this since the beginning. Since the start of this issue, there have been two separate states on Cyprus, and these are the TRNC State and the Greek Cypriot State. We should not confuse them. But these are the issues of the two sides, of course.''
Replying another question, Erdogan said that he believed also the Greek Cypriot administration should take steps for a solution.
When asked whether or not he would encourage Denktas to sit at negotiation table again, Erdogan said, ''actually, MR. Denktas has a constructive attitude.''

ERDOGAN VISITS TRNC PARLIAMENT
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Parliament Speaker Vehbi Zeki Serter received Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and accompanying delegation on Friday.
TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas, TRNC Deputy Parliament Speaker Unal Ustel and other officials attended the meeting.
Later, Erdogan will have meetings with representatives of political parties in the parliament.
Erdogan held meetings separately with Communal Liberation Party (TKP) leader Huseyin Angolemli, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Reformist Party (YAP) leader Ertugrul Hasipoglu in the parliament. Representatives of political parties also attended the meetings.
Speaking to reporters after his meetings, Erdogan said that leaders of parties conveyed their views especially on the latest developments to him and stated that he also conveyed his views to leaders. Erdogan said that he hoped it would pave the way for good developments.
When reminded he was the first Turkish Republic prime minister who went to buffer zone, Erdogan said that such a thing was not scheduled at the beginning, but he visited the buffer zone after TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said that there was not any problem regarding his visit to the zone.
Angolemli said that he demanded Lefkosa International Airport to restart working and wanted Maras which was closed to be opened. He also stated that they wanted identity cards to be shown instead of passports during mutual free passages from the border in his meeting with Erdogan.
Angolemli quoted Erdogan as saying that they also expected initiatives from the other side and efforts for a solution were continuing.
Talat stressed that Greek Cypriot side would become officially member of the EU on May 1, 2004 and stated that there was little time left and remaining time should be used carefully and well.
Stating that he conveyed his views on the issue to Erdogan at the meeting, Talat said that he also explained new situation which appeared with opening of borders and problems of TRNC at the meeting.
Claiming that TRNC President Denktas's policy did not reach its aim and smashed against wall in The Hague, Talat said that he told Erdogan at the meeting that continuation of this situation would harm Turkish side.
Alleging that president and the government did not represent Turkish Cypriot people, Talat said that they brought onto the agenda Annan plan and they said that they were insistent on restarting of negotiations on Annan plan at the meeting.
Talat quoted Erdogan as saying that Annan plan could be negotiated and added that but it was not the only option.
09.05.2003