MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila comments on Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s views on the Cyprus issue. A summary of his column is as follows:
Let’s talk about Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s view on the Cyprus issue. Erdogan believes that the current public attitude doesn’t accurately reflect developments on the issue. Just like Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, Mr. Erdogan is also opposed to any so-called ‘give away policy.’ When I spoke to him yesterday, Erdogan said that the current impasse couldn’t stand, but reiterated his opposition to any giveaway. ‘After last week’s Copenhagen summit, people are evaluating the situation,’ he told me. ‘The current impasse will produce nothing. We want to solve the problem through good will. Of course, that alone won’t be enough. The other party must also have good will and a genuine desire to solve the problem. Any solution must be fair and also protect the interests and security of the Turkish side.’ Speaking on United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s proposal for a settlement, Erdogan said, ‘We absolutely will not agree to any giveaways, or unfair concessions. I’ve clearly said this before. For example, the maps on Annan’s documents propose giving the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ [TRNC] northeast Karpaz Peninsula to the Greek Cypriots. This is unacceptable. What does Karpaz have to do with south? What’s more, Northern Cyprus is very important for Turkey and its security. Therefore I told them that these maps were completely unacceptable. Then UN Envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto presented one or two new maps to our Foreign Ministry, including six or seven alternatives. One can make certain changes to the proposals after suggesting just and fair reasons. Likewise, new proposals have been developed and are still developing.’ Erdogan’s approach on the Cyprus issue is very pragmatic. He refused to swallow just any settlement plan merely in order to secure a date for talks from the EU. He’s considering the Cyprus issue in terms of our national security and strategy. Erdogan thinks that grounds for compromise can be found for Cyprus. He says that if the Greek Cypriots have good will and the sincere desire for a solution, then one can be found before Feb. 28, the deadline set by both the UN and EU.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION