TOKYO - European Union (EU) also wanted solution of Cyprus question, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.
Erdogan told reporters in Tokyo National Press Center that Turkey had good will in Cyprus problem from the very beginning, and stressed that, ''we are in an effort to reach a lasting and fair solution in a way to protect interests of both sides, not with an understanding aiming to defeat the other side.''
Touching on simultaneous referenda to be held in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot side on April 24 on the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for Cyprus and solution of Cyprus issue, Erdogan said, ''the simultaneous referenda to be held on April 24 is not one of the Copenhagen political criteria put forth for Turkey on the road to its EU accession.''
Erdogan went on saying, ''the authorized organs of the EU are saying so. But, there is a de facto situation. Since there is a de facto situation, EU attaches importance on whether the possible result of the referenda in the island meets EU's expectations. A positive Cyprus process launched in Davos continues at the moment. This process continued with negotiations in New York, Buergenstock, and will last till the simultaneous referenda to be held in the island.''
''I don't know how evaluations of not only political parties and the leaders in TRNC and Greek Cypriot side but also Greece and Turkey will affect the two referenda in the island. But, my government has had good faith from the outset. We are in an effort to reach a fair and lasting solution in the island, protecting interests of the two sides instead of defeating the other side. That is, we have never thought we have won a victory here. We wish April 24 will bring peace to not only the Turkish Cypriots but also the Greek Cypriots and the people living in the whole island,'' Erdogan said.
Commenting on views that Annan plan protected Turkish Cypriot side more than the Greek Cypriot side, Erdogan said, ''as there are circles saying that the plan is in favor of Turkey, there are also circles who are saying the opposite. I underlined one expression before. And, this is 'we should consider the plan a benefit for Turkey, Greece, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. We favor a solution with a win-win understanding and by protecting interests of both of the sides in the island. This is our sincere opinion from the outset. I also convey our sincere views to (Greek Prime Minister Costas) Caramanlis and (Greek Cypriot leader Tassos) Papadopoulos, and to (TRNC President Rauf) Denktas, (TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali) Talat and (TRNC Foreign Minister) Serdar Denktas. I told them that otherwise, it would not be possible to get any result. So, how will it affect our EU accession process? I am reiterating that solution of Cyprus issue is not among criteria set for Turkey on the road to EU membership. But, there is a de facto situation here. EU wants 'settlement' of Cyprus issue. Therefore, I think that solution of Cyprus issue can be considered a positive effect and factor for beginning of Turkey's EU full membership negotiations.''
Delegations from TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece held meetings in Buergenstock, Switzerland from March 24 to 31 in order to find a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus issue till May 1 on the basis of Annan plan. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis joined the negotiations between March 29 and 31.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan presented his final plan to the parties at the end of the negotiations on March 31.
This plan will be put to simultaneous referenda in Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides on April 24.
(BRC-AY) 13.04.2004
TOKYO - European Union (EU) also wanted solution of Cyprus question, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.
Erdogan told reporters in Tokyo National Press Center that Turkey had good will in Cyprus problem from the very beginning, and stressed that, ''we are in an effort to reach a lasting and fair solution in a way to protect interests of both sides, not with an understanding aiming to defeat the other side.''
Touching on simultaneous referenda to be held in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot side on April 24 on the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for Cyprus and solution of Cyprus issue, Erdogan said, ''the simultaneous referenda to be held on April 24 is not one of the Copenhagen political criteria put forth for Turkey on the road to its EU accession.''
Erdogan went on saying, ''the authorized organs of the EU are saying so. But, there is a de facto situation. Since there is a de facto situation, EU attaches importance on whether the possible result of the referenda in the island meets EU's expectations. A positive Cyprus process launched in Davos continues at the moment. This process continued with negotiations in New York, Buergenstock, and will last till the simultaneous referenda to be held in the island.''
''I don't know how evaluations of not only political parties and the leaders in TRNC and Greek Cypriot side but also Greece and Turkey will affect the two referenda in the island. But, my government has had good faith from the outset. We are in an effort to reach a fair and lasting solution in the island, protecting interests of the two sides instead of defeating the other side. That is, we have never thought we have won a victory here. We wish April 24 will bring peace to not only the Turkish Cypriots but also the Greek Cypriots and the people living in the whole island,'' Erdogan said.
Commenting on views that Annan plan protected Turkish Cypriot side more than the Greek Cypriot side, Erdogan said, ''as there are circles saying that the plan is in favor of Turkey, there are also circles who are saying the opposite. I underlined one expression before. And, this is 'we should consider the plan a benefit for Turkey, Greece, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. We favor a solution with a win-win understanding and by protecting interests of both of the sides in the island. This is our sincere opinion from the outset. I also convey our sincere views to (Greek Prime Minister Costas) Caramanlis and (Greek Cypriot leader Tassos) Papadopoulos, and to (TRNC President Rauf) Denktas, (TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali) Talat and (TRNC Foreign Minister) Serdar Denktas. I told them that otherwise, it would not be possible to get any result. So, how will it affect our EU accession process? I am reiterating that solution of Cyprus issue is not among criteria set for Turkey on the road to EU membership. But, there is a de facto situation here. EU wants 'settlement' of Cyprus issue. Therefore, I think that solution of Cyprus issue can be considered a positive effect and factor for beginning of Turkey's EU full membership negotiations.''
Delegations from TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece held meetings in Buergenstock, Switzerland from March 24 to 31 in order to find a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus issue till May 1 on the basis of Annan plan. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis joined the negotiations between March 29 and 31.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan presented his final plan to the parties at the end of the negotiations on March 31.
This plan will be put to simultaneous referenda in Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides on April 24.
(BRC-AY) 13.04.2004