EROGLU: “REMARKS OF GREEK CYRIOT SIDE ARE THE INDICATOR OF THEIR INTENTION OF NOT REACHING TO AN AGREEEMENT TILL THE 1ST OF JULY”

President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Dervish Eroglu said the remarks of the Greek Cypriot side in the way that they were ready to continue the negotiations after taking over the EU Term Presidency was an indicator of their intention of not reaching to an agreement till 1st of July and prolonging the negotiation process till 2013, the date that the presidential elections will be held in Greek Cypriot side.

President Dervish Eroglu and Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias met yesterday within the framework of negotiations aimed at settling the Cyprus issue.

During the 2 hour long meeting that took place at the residence of the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cyprus the leaders discussed the issue of property.

The next meeting of the leaders will take place on the 8th of March and they will continue to handle the issue of property.

President Eroglu gave a briefing to the press at his return to the TRNC Presidency after the meeting and answered the questions of the journalists.

Answering to a question Eroglu said that they discussed the remarks of UNSG Special Adviser Alexander Downer during his meeting with some political parties and non governmental organizations held in the recent days and stressed that he told Downer their sensibility on that issue.

Pointing out that they did not approve that one of the parties said that Downer talks with the political parties and non governmental organizations and act in a provocative manner since the negotiations continue, Eroglu said they expressed their sensibility on the news claiming that the UN would submit a proposal on a settlement at the meeting too.

“Downer can not submit a proposal to only one of the parties if he would. Submitting a package proposal to Turkish side does not settle the issue. There are two parties on the table. Both parties should adopt the proposal” emphasized Eroglu.

Eroglu also stressed that if Downer would table any package on the issues of governance and power sharing or any unilateral proposal, he should consult it with the Greek Cypriot side as well.

“Consulting with only one party is not a proper manner. We said we could discuss any proposal only if it was submitted to both parties. Greek Cypriot side should also adopt such a manner” quoted Eroglu.

CHRISTOFIAS : “IT WILL BE STRANGE IF THE UNSG TAKES RISK AND CALLS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE”

Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias said that if the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon takes a risk and calls for an international conference and it fails, it would be strange. Greek Cypriot radio announced this news after the meeting of President Dervis Eroglu and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias after Christofias’ return to the Presidential Palace yesterday.

Moreover, expressing that it was not possible for the Greek Cypriot Administration to accept an international conference before making the necessary development at the negotiations and solving internal problems, Christofias said that this was the clear attitude of the Greek Cypriot side.

ADVISOR OF CHRISTOFIAS, MUDUROS: “IF GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE WANTS A SOLUTION, THEY SHOULD DEMAND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE”

Advisor of the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias for Turkish and Turkish Cypriot issues, Nikos Muduros said ‘If Greek Cypriot side wants the solution of Cyprus problem; they should demand an international conference’.

According to the Greek Cypriot daily Politis, Muduros underlined that Greek Cypriots’ ‘no’ votes during the referenda created a trauma in both communities.

‘If the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon calls for an international conference, Greek Cypriot side should accept it for the last stage because there is not any other stage in order to reach a solution. Of course, on the condition of participation of Security Council, UN, EU and both communities’ Muduros added.

KUCUK RECEIVES DOWNER

Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk received UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor Alexander Downer yesterday.

After the meeting, upon being asked what was his evaluation about the criticisms and reactions of some circles towards him in the TRNC, Downer, stated that the important point, which everybody focused on, was the efforts to achieve a solution of the essence of the problem, and added that the UN did not want to get involved in such discussions.

Stressing that the most important thing was the essence of the negotiations, Downer said that UN Secretary-General Ban ki Moon would submit a report to the UN Security Council next week. Downer also reminded that at the end of March he would prepare a review report to the UNSG about the negotiations, and whether a sufficient progress has been achieved or not for a multilateral meeting in April or May.

Stating ‘we are passing through an important and difficult stage’, Downer added: “Great importance should be attached by the two sides to get convergences towards the essence of the problems, instead of dealing with political comments.

Upon a question that whether they discussed the negotiations and ‘cross-voting issue’ in particular during the meeting, Downer responded that he informed PM Kucuk about the course of negotiations and discussed all the related matters.

PARLIAMENTARY UNION HAS CONDEMNED DOWNER

TRNC Parliamentary Union has condemned UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor to Cyprus Alexander Downer on account of the fact that he “tries to provoke” some unions, non-governmental organizations and political parties in TRNC concerning the Cyprus negotiations.

In the statement by the Union, it was stated that Downer’s visits to some unions and telling them “the course is not good, so do not keep silent” is not a proper attitude for the diplomacy ethics.

In the signed statement by President of Parliamentary Union Vedat Çelik and Secretary General Prof. Dr. Ata Atun, it was emphasized that the visit in question of Downer is not a fruitful attitude for the future of the negotiations, and was stated that all proposals put forth by Turkish Cypriot side reflect the realities and they are for a solution.

DP: ‘IDEA OF THE PEOPLE MUST BE ASKED IF THE PROCESS STOPS’

Turkish Cypriot Political Party the Democrat Party (DP) made a statement and said that if there will be no progress in the last phase of the negotiation process, the idea of the Turkish Cypriot people must be asked by a referendum.

Secretary General of the DP Bengü Şonya stated that expectations of the main Turkish Cypriot opposition party Republican Turkish Party, the ruling party in South Cyprus Akel and UN is very well known however there is no idea what are the expectations of the Turkish Cypriots from the negotiation process.

Åžonya added that DP is accepting this negotiation process as the last one and believes that if this process stops the idea of all TRNC citizens must be asked by a referendum.

ANXIETY OF EUROPEANS ABOUT THE EU TERM PRESIDENCY OF SOUTH CYPRUS

According to Greek Cypriot Newspaper Politis Europeans are anxious about the EU term presidency of South Cyprus. In the news it was underlined that European’s anxiety is due to the fact that South Cyprus shall take over such an important mission for the first time and they are worried about how the Greek Cypriots shall deal with the critical issues of Europe.

According to the news EP member of AKEL Takis Hacıgeirgeu stated that such worries of Europe were secret and also justified.

Europeans have question Marks in their minds if the Greek Cypriots will be successful as a term presidency in solving the problems of EUROPE in face of the problems they have with Turkey.