BRUSSELS - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat Tuesday condemned the decision of the Greek Cypriots to reject a solution plan approved by the United Nations (U.N.) and the European Union (EU) and at the same time expressed disappointment over missing a historic opportunity in Cyprus.
Speaking in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the European Parliament, Talat said that Turkish Cypriots were ready to cooperate with the international community and the EU.
Talat noted that there were not any obstacles before establishing relationship with TRNC.
The Greek Cypriot side had totally lost its legitimacy and could not represent Turkish Cypriots, Talat stated.
Talat said that Turkish Cypriots now wanted the EU to ''seize the opportunity'' and lift embargoes imposed on TRNC.
But, Talat recalled, those moves were not a solution.
When a Greek Cypriot parliamentarian claimed that he could not cross to the north of the island when he wanted to meet with Talat, Talat said that the Greek Cypriot parliamentarian could come to TRNC at any time he wanted on condition he respected to the state officials and added, ''we are not responsible for the division of the island any more.''
Talat stated that ''pretexts'' claimed by Greek Cypriots like ''security concern'' were unacceptable.
''The Greek Cypriots thought that Turkish Cypriots would hamper a solution. They are face to face with solution fact and possibility for the first time. Now, the entire world is surprised with their attitude. Our only demand is not lifting of the embargo. We have acted with good will and determinedly. Turkish Cypriots could not be punished due to the decision of the Greek Cypriots. This can't comply with the goals of Europe. We still want solution and reunification,'' Talat added.
Meanwhile, German socialist parliamentarian Ozan Ceyhun with Turkish origin said that they felt regret that the opportunity had been missed in Cyprus.
Ceyhun noted that the EU had some responsibilities to fulfil if it did not want to see any new ''Berlin Wall'' in Cyprus.
TRNC and Greek Cypriot side voted U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in simultaneous referenda held on April 24.
Sixty-five percent of Turkish Cypriots voted ''yes'' to the Annan plan while 35.09 percent voted against the plan in the simultaneous referenda. A total of 75.83 percent of the Greek Cypriots said ''no'' to the plan while 24.17 of them voted ''yes.''
The rate of participation in the referendum was 84.35 in TRNC and 96.53 percent in the Greek Cypriot side.
(BRC-AY) 27.04.2004