BRUSSELS - There were many big problems in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' (TRNC) relations with the European Union (EU), TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Thursday.
After his meeting with EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen, Talat told a press conference in which he said that analytic searches continued, hoping that Cyprus problem would be solved.
Talat said, ''when the problem can't be solved, EU was confused seriously. They thought that either the problem would be solved or a solution would be obstructed by the Turks. They did not think of the opposite.''
''A Green Line Regulation was prepared. This doesn't satisfy us, but it is a text covering serious developments. Now, principles of free trade are being set. There are many technical issues like the Green Line, free trade, direct flights, ports, and lifting of sportive embargo. I explained our initiatives to adjust to EU norms. For example, they are sensitive about trial of civilians at military courts. I said that we solved it. I explained democratic moves,'' Talat noted.
Talat said that Turkish Cypriots expected the Greek Cypriots to show same positive reactions, but the Greek Cypriots continued their restrictions.
''I said that they obstructed our commercial vehicles to cross to the south. They are searching in detail every car, the cars of tourists, taxis and lorries which want to cross to the south of Cyprus. They are imposing very high insurance fees and assuming a deterrent attitude,'' Talat said.
Talat stated that TRNC asked for assistance about issues in favor of its people and said, ''it is not possible to exclude Turkish Cypriots after the simultaneous referenda.''
''The first condition for free trade is that we should use our own transportation means, airports and sea ports. A mechanism which will accept health certificates, documents of origin and circulation should be established. It is important to export our products to EU countries. If these are not ensured and if they ask us to export our goods via the south of the island, the deterrent attitudes and legal restrictions of the Greek Cypriots will continue. We aim to make by-sectors operational. We hope economy will operate,'' Talat said.
Talat went on saying, ''there are many problems. The Greek Cypriots have become an EU member and they have the right to vote and veto. They have the right to cause difficulties in some matters. It is not possible to overcome them under these circumstances. The Commission is also problematic and we are also troublesome. For example, the Greek Cypriot administration is authorized for a document of origin to be given by our Chamber of Commerce. This is the biggest problem. The Greek Cypriots have commissioners in European Commission. And, moreover this commissioner had a leading role in rejection of the Annan plan. He was the Finance Minister of the Greek Cypriot side, and now he is an EU Commissioner. He is working for the EU. We have more problems of this kind. Turkey also has some problems. It broadened the Customs Union and added nine other countries. Things have become complicated. A solution will be found in the end, but Turkey has to take some forced steps and will have to do so.''
''What I saw in my meetings is that reaction has increased against their wrongful attitude. This will have political and emotional effects. How long can they leave a society outside and put pressure on it? This is a very serious thing,'' Talat said.
Talat noted that a plan and program would be prepared for the 259 million Euro of structural fund expected to be allocated by the EU to TRNC.
''The European Commission seems that it will do its best for creating a free trade environment. They have not set any date. EU Council will take a decision till the end of this month. Outlines of European Commission's proposals are not immediately certain. Our proposals that two members of the European Parliament from Cyprus should be chosen from TRNC or two seats should be kept empty. Maybe, our third proposal can be accepted. We want two Turkish Cypriots to be at the European Parliament as observers. The new parliament will evaluate these proposals,'' Talat said.
Talat said, ''it is very difficult at the moment to take a step like removing the reason of isolation. The Greek Cypriots say that Turkish Cypriots should take necessary documents from its authorities while we say that they don't have this right because they don't represent us. Problem stems from this. I don't know how acceptable it will be to file a lawsuit. But, there are some issues like their obstructive attitude towards free trade. Individual cases can be filed at the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. We will try legal means, but we have not reached that stage yet.''
The European Commission planned to open an office comprised of 20-25 people in TRNC, Talat stated.
Talat said that the Commission was therefore searching for a building and waiting for the approval of the Council.
''Verheugen did not tell me to feel relieved. He explained difficulties and expressed his views. Of course, there are difficulties. Cyprus Republic is an EU member. We will be active as much as we can. We are exerting efforts in international arena. We plan to visit capital cities of big countries before EU summit. I am waiting for invitations. We need to go to these countries and explain ourselves in the best way because there are many big problems. There are big problems also before Turkey. Turkey is in a position of being forced to recognize Cyprus Republic. The EU has started to see that it admitted a country which is causing problems,'' Talat said.
Talat noted that he did not see any negative attitude towards Turkey in his meetings.
Expressing thought that Turkey would get a negotiation date from the EU in December, Talat said that Cyprus issue was no more an obstacle before Turkey.
Talat later left for Strasbourg to meet with European Court of Human Rights President Luzius Wildhaber.
TRNC wants the international community to lift embargoes and end isolation of its people after the majority of its people voted in favor of United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The Greek Cypriot side rejected the plan in the simultaneous referenda held in the island on April 24.
(BRC-AÖ) 10.06.2004