Soyer: Turkish Politicians Failed To Fully Identify On Time The New Models Of Relations Arousing From The EU Enlargement Process

GIRNE - Expressing that Turkish politicians failed to fully identify on time the new models of relations arousing from the EU enlargement process, PM of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Sabri Soyer said, "Unfortunately, Greek Cypriot administration unilaterally became an EU member. The biggest problem faced by TRNC and Turkey is this. We have to overcome this obstacle, and we will."
Soyer got together with journalists from Turkey that are in Cyprus upon an invitation from the TRNC President Talat at the Merit Hotel.
"Turkish side failed to understand the new dimensions brought about by the EU enlargement process on the Cyprus issue and insisted on maintaining its stance," said Soyer.
Commenting on the Helsinki and Luxembourg summits Soyer said, with the 1999 Helsinki decision to give candidate state status to Turkey, Turkey has accepted a decision that falls outside its long pursued "Cyprus can`t become an EU member before Turkey does" policy and added that inability to interpret the process accurately created cramps in relations.
"Greek Cypriot administration became a member, but this republic that became a member is against international law, EU principles and UN resolution," said Soyer.
Soyer expressed the need for acceleration in the UN process for the solution of the Cyprus issue.
Stressing the importance of economic development and growth, Soyer pointed out that the GNP of TRNC rose from 985 million Euro in 2002 to 2 billion Euros in 2006.
Drawing parallels between EU member Malta with a GNP of 4 billion Euros (with a population close to TRNC`s population and with less natural resources) and TRNC, Soyer said, "if we managed to raise our GNP from 985 million Euro to 2 billion Euro under these circumstances of isolation, but with the financial and morale support of Turkey and the creative force and motivation of our people, then to say that our next aim is to reach the GNP of Malta is not an empty claim."

-HELLIM-

Commenting on the recently discussed "hellim" cheese issue as well, Soyer expressed that TRNC exported hellim worth 30 million USD last year and said they implemented a 15 million-USD subvention while doing this.
Stressing that Greek Cypriots were trying to block their "hellim" exports, Soyer noted, "now there is a big fight going on in Brussels. Greek Cypriots are trying to obtain a regional product patent for halloumi. However, it is the product of a collective geography".

-INVITATION AS "TRNC PREMIER"-

Moreover, being reminded the invitation he received from a German state as the "Prime Minister of TRNC", Soyer said both TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat and himself acted carefully while establishing such international contacts and relations.
Soyer said that Greek Cypriots created tension upon this invitation and added, "Because, this means the appearance of Turkish presence in Cyprus".