ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the Greek Cypriot rejection of the UN plan for a United Cyprus marks the start of a new era on the island. In a televised address to the nation Friday evening, Erdogan noted that the majority of Turkish Cypriots responded positively to the UN plan proposing the two communities to live under the same roof of one state.
''Turkey has been going through a very important period in its foreign policy,'' Erdogan said. ''Results of the twin referendums in Cyprus on April 24, 2004 revealed that a new era has started in the island... This is a picture changing all balances and forcing us to review all our words about Cyprus,'' he added.
Erdogan said, ''A new era has begun in the history of Cyprus. In this era, Turkish Cypriot people became supporters of peace as appreciated by the international community. In last week's twin referendums in Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot people responded positively to the question whether or not the two communities in the island could live together in peace under the roof of the same state. The Greek Cypriot side gave a negative response to the same question. This result reveals that Turkish Cypriot people have been exposed to a gross injustice for the last three decades. This period, which was wasted to unveil the truth, will always be remembered as one of the most dramatic mistakes of the world diplomacy. Turkish Cypriot people's positive approach is of great importance with regard to correction of such a dramatic mistake, by a nation which has been subjected to unfair embargoes for years,'' he said.
Praising the courage and steadfastness of the Turkish Cypriots in the face of such great unfairness, Prime Minister Erdogan stressed that they should now be rewarded for their 30 year long honourable struggle. ''Since the day our government came to power, we have considered providing a fair and lasting peace in Cyprus as a priority. Together with other state institutions in Turkey and in cooperation with officials of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we have tried to develop joint strategies for a solution,'' he said.
Erdogan said that steps of good will which have been taken by Turkey and the TRNC since the beginning of the negotiation process were followed closely by the world and that Turkish Cypriots were the side that were congratulated on behalf of peace following the referenda.
He noted that now a new equation has emerged in Cyprus, which had been on the world agenda for 30 years.
So far Turkish Cypriots were accused of intransigence and blocking a solution on the island, Erdogan noted and said "Now they have become the side that defended peace, compromise and solution in the new Cyprus equation."
Erdogan thanked all state institutions especially Turkish General Staff and Foreign Ministry for their contributions to the process. He also thanked TRNC administration for their great efforts and said that Turkish Cypriots extended great support to the process.
Underlining that during negotiations, Turkish government never gave up the fact that Cyprus issue was a national cause of Turkey, Erdogan said, ''unfortunately, we have also faced some objections and accusations that we did not deserve in such an important national cause and in a very sensitive period when negotiations were underway.''
Erdogan said that they represent a political understanding that believed in democracy and respected views of all people. He said, however, Turkey would not make any progress if blocked by those who consider the status quo above the will of people and turn a blind eye to where the world is heading.
Stating that they would analyse closely what is happening in the world, Erdogan said that if Turkey was to have a better place in the world in the future than now, it should encounter all its chronic problems as soon as possible and produce remedies with its own initiative. He warned that in a fast changing world Turkey cannot afford to be bogged down in a vicious circle of political arguments.
Erdogan said, ''The time has come to set aside vicious circles, meaningless polemics and marginal politics and to face the facts of the world and the will of nation.''
''Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the people'' he said. ''We do not share different views in this issue and we do not provide pretexts in front of democracy. We again considered democracy as main point of action while discussing Cyprus question.''
Erdogan said, ''The first result of the Cyprus referendum is that it is the Turkish Cypriot side having the will to live on the island together and in peace. Another result is that this is the first time the will displayed by the Turkish Cypriots coincides so much with the will displayed by the people in the Motherland.''
Erdogan said, ''this emotional unity formed among the Motherland and TRNC people will constitute an extremely valuable basis for the new Cyprus policy which we will jointly pursue.''
''Those that thought that maintaining the status quo, which produced no solutions, is the only way of protecting national interests, should assess well this vote of the nation'' Erdogan added.
ERDOGAN: WE BELIEVE THE EU WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AND DISPLAY ITS WILL TO START ACCESSION TALKS WITH TURKEY IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME
Erdogan said he believes the European Union (EU) will make the right decision and display its will to start accession talks with Turkey in the shortest possible time. ''Otherwise, Turkey will find another path of progress with values it has represented'' he said.
''The progress achieved by the Turkish side in the Cyprus negotiation process should not be underestimated. Also, we should not consider the current situation end of the road. I should express frankly that the real struggle is just starting. Now, we need a dexterous, calm and multi-faceted diplomacy.'' he said.
''We should leave aside all arguments; provide an emotional unity, a common vision and a calm attitude both in Turkey and in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC); and struggle together with the aim of reaching new targets ahead of us,'' he said.
Regarding the Greek Cypriot rejection of the UN plan, Prime Minister Erdogan noted, ''We respect their decision. However, the current picture in the island points out to a new situation. And, Turkish Cypriot people have the right to take steps to determine their own future in this new situation. It is the new fact of Cyprus that should be accepted by the whole world. Under new strategies and openings which we will develop together with TRNC, we will defend insistently and carefully rights of Turkish Cypriot people in all platforms, especially in the EU. Our utmost priority is lifting of economic embargoes imposed on TRNC for the last three decades. The isolation policies against TRNC should come to an end immediately.''
''The EU, which excluded Turkish Cypriots who displayed an attitude in favor of solution, and which is getting prepared to accept membership of Greek Cypriots who displayed an attitude in favor of insolubility, should take some steps for the future of TRNC. We will go on making efforts in all platforms to this end. Today, we have many reasons to be optimistic about future of both Turkey and the TRNC,'' he stressed.
Erdogan said that in every international meeting and during visits to foreign countries Turkey's efforts receive praise, noting that Turkey was appreciated for not only its economic performance but also for its positive diplomacy.
Noting that they were determined to continue friendly relations with Greece, Erdogan said, ''the result which came out from referenda will never change our attitude. But we will increase our efforts to improve relations and act together with Greece. We see that our Greek friends assume a similar attitude and we are glad to see it.''
Erdogan stressed that it was obvious that this friendly picture formed a sound groundwork for solution of problems between Turkey and Greece and said, ''Turkey does not have any doubt that two peoples will come closer to each other with diplomatic steps. This cooperation will also have a positive effect for solution of many regional problems in the Aegean Sea and Balkans. Every country establishes and practices its own foreign policy to protect its own interests. But peace is to the interest of all sides.''
Erdogan said Turkey and Greece should not only be satisfied with establishing good relations and solving problems, but the two countries should develop cooperation possibilities in foreign policy, economy, tourism sector and cultural fields.
Peace and democracy were the rising values of the new world, Erdogan said, ''putting this ideal into practice in the highest level and defending it would crown the Turkish Republic. It must be our main ideal to present a new world to our children formed with the spirit of peace and democracy.''
Prime Minister Erdogan said 2004 became the most critical period for Turkey's foreign affairs, recalling that Turkey would once again face a critical decision from the European Union (EU) in December 2004, regarding the date to start EU full membership negotiations.
Erdogan pointed to the importance of completing the legal reforms required for EU membership and overcoming the deficiencies in applying the new legislation before this critical date.
''This is a national target and all parts of the society have to make efforts to reach this target. We should not to be deceived by the marginal circles aiming at diverting Turkey from its EU target,'' Erdogan said.
Stating that majority of the nation supported Turkey's membership to the EU and the efforts exerted for this goal, Erdogan said they took important steps to adjust to EU. He said those efforts were appreciated by the world.
''The test for the EU in December will be more meaningful than Turkey's. The EU countries, while taking a decision for Turkey, will in fact make a decision whether or not EU is a coalition of values or a Christian club,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that, ''as Turkey we sincerely believe that the EU will take the most rightful decision and soon display the will to start negotiations with Turkey. Otherwise, Turkey will absolutely find another path of progress with values it has represented. The EU membership is not the only alternative ahead of Turkey to reach its targets. However, the EU does not have any other alternative to prove its efficiency as a system of values except for awarding Turkey's efforts. We will continue to shape Turkey's future under any conditions. We know that Turkey has the necessary unity and solidarity to reach its targets and to overcome all obstacles.''
(UK-EÖ-AY) 30.04.2004
ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the Greek Cypriot rejection of the UN plan for a United Cyprus marks the start of a new era on the island. In a televised address to the nation Friday evening, Erdogan noted that the majority of Turkish Cypriots responded positively to the UN plan proposing the two communities to live under the same roof of one state.
''Turkey has been going through a very important period in its foreign policy,'' Erdogan said. ''Results of the twin referendums in Cyprus on April 24, 2004 revealed that a new era has started in the island... This is a picture changing all balances and forcing us to review all our words about Cyprus,'' he added.
Erdogan said, ''A new era has begun in the history of Cyprus. In this era, Turkish Cypriot people became supporters of peace as appreciated by the international community. In last week's twin referendums in Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot people responded positively to the question whether or not the two communities in the island could live together in peace under the roof of the same state. The Greek Cypriot side gave a negative response to the same question. This result reveals that Turkish Cypriot people have been exposed to a gross injustice for the last three decades. This period, which was wasted to unveil the truth, will always be remembered as one of the most dramatic mistakes of the world diplomacy. Turkish Cypriot people's positive approach is of great importance with regard to correction of such a dramatic mistake, by a nation which has been subjected to unfair embargoes for years,'' he said.
Praising the courage and steadfastness of the Turkish Cypriots in the face of such great unfairness, Prime Minister Erdogan stressed that they should now be rewarded for their 30 year long honourable struggle. ''Since the day our government came to power, we have considered providing a fair and lasting peace in Cyprus as a priority. Together with other state institutions in Turkey and in cooperation with officials of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we have tried to develop joint strategies for a solution,'' he said.
Erdogan said that steps of good will which have been taken by Turkey and the TRNC since the beginning of the negotiation process were followed closely by the world and that Turkish Cypriots were the side that were congratulated on behalf of peace following the referenda.
He noted that now a new equation has emerged in Cyprus, which had been on the world agenda for 30 years.
So far Turkish Cypriots were accused of intransigence and blocking a solution on the island, Erdogan noted and said "Now they have become the side that defended peace, compromise and solution in the new Cyprus equation."
Erdogan thanked all state institutions especially Turkish General Staff and Foreign Ministry for their contributions to the process. He also thanked TRNC administration for their great efforts and said that Turkish Cypriots extended great support to the process.
Underlining that during negotiations, Turkish government never gave up the fact that Cyprus issue was a national cause of Turkey, Erdogan said, ''unfortunately, we have also faced some objections and accusations that we did not deserve in such an important national cause and in a very sensitive period when negotiations were underway.''
Erdogan said that they represent a political understanding that believed in democracy and respected views of all people. He said, however, Turkey would not make any progress if blocked by those who consider the status quo above the will of people and turn a blind eye to where the world is heading.
Stating that they would analyse closely what is happening in the world, Erdogan said that if Turkey was to have a better place in the world in the future than now, it should encounter all its chronic problems as soon as possible and produce remedies with its own initiative. He warned that in a fast changing world Turkey cannot afford to be bogged down in a vicious circle of political arguments.
Erdogan said, ''The time has come to set aside vicious circles, meaningless polemics and marginal politics and to face the facts of the world and the will of nation.''
''Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the people'' he said. ''We do not share different views in this issue and we do not provide pretexts in front of democracy. We again considered democracy as main point of action while discussing Cyprus question.''
Erdogan said, ''The first result of the Cyprus referendum is that it is the Turkish Cypriot side having the will to live on the island together and in peace. Another result is that this is the first time the will displayed by the Turkish Cypriots coincides so much with the will displayed by the people in the Motherland.''
Erdogan said, ''this emotional unity formed among the Motherland and TRNC people will constitute an extremely valuable basis for the new Cyprus policy which we will jointly pursue.''
''Those that thought that maintaining the status quo, which produced no solutions, is the only way of protecting national interests, should assess well this vote of the nation'' Erdogan added.
ERDOGAN: WE BELIEVE THE EU WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AND DISPLAY ITS WILL TO START ACCESSION TALKS WITH TURKEY IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME
Erdogan said he believes the European Union (EU) will make the right decision and display its will to start accession talks with Turkey in the shortest possible time. ''Otherwise, Turkey will find another path of progress with values it has represented'' he said.
''The progress achieved by the Turkish side in the Cyprus negotiation process should not be underestimated. Also, we should not consider the current situation end of the road. I should express frankly that the real struggle is just starting. Now, we need a dexterous, calm and multi-faceted diplomacy.'' he said.
''We should leave aside all arguments; provide an emotional unity, a common vision and a calm attitude both in Turkey and in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC); and struggle together with the aim of reaching new targets ahead of us,'' he said.
Regarding the Greek Cypriot rejection of the UN plan, Prime Minister Erdogan noted, ''We respect their decision. However, the current picture in the island points out to a new situation. And, Turkish Cypriot people have the right to take steps to determine their own future in this new situation. It is the new fact of Cyprus that should be accepted by the whole world. Under new strategies and openings which we will develop together with TRNC, we will defend insistently and carefully rights of Turkish Cypriot people in all platforms, especially in the EU. Our utmost priority is lifting of economic embargoes imposed on TRNC for the last three decades. The isolation policies against TRNC should come to an end immediately.''
''The EU, which excluded Turkish Cypriots who displayed an attitude in favor of solution, and which is getting prepared to accept membership of Greek Cypriots who displayed an attitude in favor of insolubility, should take some steps for the future of TRNC. We will go on making efforts in all platforms to this end. Today, we have many reasons to be optimistic about future of both Turkey and the TRNC,'' he stressed.
Erdogan said that in every international meeting and during visits to foreign countries Turkey's efforts receive praise, noting that Turkey was appreciated for not only its economic performance but also for its positive diplomacy.
Noting that they were determined to continue friendly relations with Greece, Erdogan said, ''the result which came out from referenda will never change our attitude. But we will increase our efforts to improve relations and act together with Greece. We see that our Greek friends assume a similar attitude and we are glad to see it.''
Erdogan stressed that it was obvious that this friendly picture formed a sound groundwork for solution of problems between Turkey and Greece and said, ''Turkey does not have any doubt that two peoples will come closer to each other with diplomatic steps. This cooperation will also have a positive effect for solution of many regional problems in the Aegean Sea and Balkans. Every country establishes and practices its own foreign policy to protect its own interests. But peace is to the interest of all sides.''
Erdogan said Turkey and Greece should not only be satisfied with establishing good relations and solving problems, but the two countries should develop cooperation possibilities in foreign policy, economy, tourism sector and cultural fields.
Peace and democracy were the rising values of the new world, Erdogan said, ''putting this ideal into practice in the highest level and defending it would crown the Turkish Republic. It must be our main ideal to present a new world to our children formed with the spirit of peace and democracy.''
Prime Minister Erdogan said 2004 became the most critical period for Turkey's foreign affairs, recalling that Turkey would once again face a critical decision from the European Union (EU) in December 2004, regarding the date to start EU full membership negotiations.
Erdogan pointed to the importance of completing the legal reforms required for EU membership and overcoming the deficiencies in applying the new legislation before this critical date.
''This is a national target and all parts of the society have to make efforts to reach this target. We should not to be deceived by the marginal circles aiming at diverting Turkey from its EU target,'' Erdogan said.
Stating that majority of the nation supported Turkey's membership to the EU and the efforts exerted for this goal, Erdogan said they took important steps to adjust to EU. He said those efforts were appreciated by the world.
''The test for the EU in December will be more meaningful than Turkey's. The EU countries, while taking a decision for Turkey, will in fact make a decision whether or not EU is a coalition of values or a Christian club,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that, ''as Turkey we sincerely believe that the EU will take the most rightful decision and soon display the will to start negotiations with Turkey. Otherwise, Turkey will absolutely find another path of progress with values it has represented. The EU membership is not the only alternative ahead of Turkey to reach its targets. However, the EU does not have any other alternative to prove its efficiency as a system of values except for awarding Turkey's efforts. We will continue to shape Turkey's future under any conditions. We know that Turkey has the necessary unity and solidarity to reach its targets and to overcome all obstacles.''
(UK-EÖ-AY) 30.04.2004