Eroglu: We Are Always Ready To Hold Discussions On An Agreement Which Is Based On Bi-zonal And Two-state Structure

ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday that they were always ready to hold talks on an agreement which was based on bi-zonal structure and covered Turkey's de facto guarantee and acted upon the reality of existence of two different states on Cyprus.
Speaking at a ceremony held to mark the 550th anniversary of opening of the Istanbul University, Eroglu said that he was proud of being one of the graduates of the Istanbul University.
Inviting President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who also attended the ceremony, to the TRNC, Eroglu said, ''your visit to the TRNC especially in this period during which one rumor appears each day, boosts our people's morale and gives them strength.''
Stressing that they were trying to fulfil their duties for a lasting agreement on Cyprus and they had reached the point of making self-sacrifices and even concessions for an agreement, Eroglu said that recognition of Greek Cypriot side as ''Cyprus Republic'' and opening of EU's doors to Greek Cypriot side prevented an agreement.
Noting that it would be difficult to expect Greek Cypriot side to draw near to sign an agreement, Eroglu said that the other side wanted change of several articles of Annan's document in favor of it.
''I think that it is difficult and even impossible to reach a lasting agreement on Cyprus as long as the reality of existence of two different states on the island is ignored. We are always ready to hold talks on an agreement which is based on bi-zonal structure and covers Turkey's de facto guarantee and acts upon the reality of existence of two different states on Cyprus,'' he said.
Eroglu added that also Greek Cypriots should display good will for a solution.
(MS-AY) 30.05.2003