LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that derogations were vital for them. Denktas said they wanted agreement on the essence to be incorporated into EU law and made permanent.
Denktas, who made a statement, said, ''we want derogations to be absolutely permanent, or at least some of them to continue till Turkey becomes a full member of the EU. However, we want the issues on essence, which would constitute basis of the agreement, to be incorporated into EU law and made permanent.''
Denktas said if this does not happen, rights that are granted to Turkey can be removed with new decisions and will remain as rights only on paper.
Denktas said, ''then, we will be in a position that is more difficult than 1960. This is a vital issue. Turkey also attributes importance to this and focuses on it insistently. We are holding talks on the issue. Everybody says that we can not lead anywhere without getting a definite guarantee on this issue. We should be patient on this. If Greek Cypriots want a permanent and effective agreement with us, they should not oppose to this issue much. We will see tomorrow what they oppose and why they oppose.''
(AY-AÖ) 25.02.2004