Tusiad Chairman Says They Want Government To Re-assume Its Constructive Approach Towards Cyprus Issue

ISTANBUL - Tuncay Ozilhan, the Chairman of Executive Board of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), said on Thursday that they wanted the government to re-assume its constructive approach and energy towards Cyprus issue and a style of politics searching for a solution.
Addressing opening remarks of conference on ''Annan Plan: Dreams and Facts'' organized by Bogazici University and TUSIAD Foreign Policy Forum, Ozilhan said that Cyprus issue was an important issue concerning Turkey for almost 50 years.
Noting that conditions that caused the problem had changed and some of actors left the scene, Ozilhan said that the world had entered a new period but the Cyprus issue continued to exist.
Ozilhan stated that they favored a solution in line with demands of Turkish Cypriots and said, ''we have never been in an attitude to 'give and get rid of' as claimed by some circles.''
They believed that Cyprus issue should be considered by imbibing realities of the world after the Cold War and September 11 within the scope of Turkey's global interest, Ozilhan emphasized.
Ozilhan said that they believed that they thought that the last shape of Annan plan which had been changed for two times approached to thesis defended by Turkey in international arena so far.
''We believe that uneasiness of Greek Cypriot administration about the plan is an important indicator. We see that many concerns over future of Turkish Cypriot society become invalid thanks to sensitive balances established by plan. More importantly, majority of Turkish Cypriot people believe this and wish a solution within the framework of the plan,'' Ozilhan stated.
Ozilhan expressed belief that settlement of Cyprus issue before Greek Cypriot side became European Union (EU) full member on May 1, 2004 was for the benefit and interests of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots.
''It is clear that a solution can be made only within the framework of Annan Plan in today's conjuncture,'' Ozilhan said.
Ozilhan pointed out that giving accurate information to the public opinion about Cyprus issue could only be possible by open, comprehensive and honest discussion.
''Therefore, we want to open the discussion by purifying it from partisan attitudes. Cyprus issue should be settled because this is the requirement of common interests. But, we know that a link has been established between solution of Cyprus issue and Turkey's EU membership. There is no doubt that an EU, of which Greek Cypriot side is a member, will make Turkey's membership process more difficult,'' Ozilhan said.
Ozilhan noted that Turkey had fulfilled its responsibilities to meet Copenhagen and Maastricht criteria and would continue to do so.
The society and government had strong will to fulfil their obligations, Ozilhan emphasized.
Ozilhan said, ''but it should be known that the next stage after completion of reform initiatives also made for Turkey's sake, is the EU membership. Any special status proposal to be made to Turkey for EU membership is not acceptable for Turkish society. We will continue to support the government unless it deviates from the path of reforms. We want the government to re-assume its constructive approach and energy towards Cyprus issue and re-adopt style of politics searching for a solution.''
''As we wait for steps for a solution and peace from our government as soon as possible, of course, we expect similar steps from the Greek Cypriot side and other guarantor state Greece,'' Ozilhan stressed.
Ozilhan hoped that the EU would also take constructive and rationalistic steps for a solution by taking action from the fact that EU membership of a problematic Cyprus would be harmful for everybody.
''There is no doubt that there is Annan Plan which reflects the experience of a long peace process at the starting point of these efforts,'' Ozilhan added.
(BRC-AÖ) 17.07.2003