PRESIDENT EROGLU PROPOSES A ROADMAP

PRESIDENT OF TURKEY GUL STRESSES THE NEED FOR TIME TABLE AND TALKS OF POSSIBILITY OF ALTERNATIVES

Nicosia, 20 July 14 (T.A.K): President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Dervis Eroglu and President of Turkey Abdullah Gul attended the main parade marking the 40’th anniversary of Turkish Peace Operation, vindicated by the coup attempt backed by Greek junta in 1974.

The parade marking the day of liberation for Turkish Cypriots on the main road named after the leader of the Turkish Cypriot national struggle Dr. Fazil Kucuk, was attended by many foreign guests.

President Dervish Eroglu in his speech delivered at the ceremony stressed that Turkish Cypriot side was for a settlement based on the joint statement dated 11 February 2014 nevertheless he added that the intention of Greek Cypriots was playing for time.

Eroglu said, “I want everyone to question why the Greek Cypriots rejects the past convergences. When this is questioned it will be obvious that they are playing for time, they have no intention for reconciliation.”

The president reiterated his 5 step roadmap which proposes to start give and take phase in August and move on to last phase at a meeting in September in New York with the attendance of UN Secretary General.

GUL

President of Turkey Abdullah Gul at a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace yesterday, stressed the need for a time table.

He said Turkey was fully backing Turkish Cypriot efforts for reconciliation and that there were many positive factors this time round that made a deal realistic.

“In the past unfortunately many opportunities were wasted, open ended negotiations renders the settlement evasive. Therefore our main idea is to link a time table to the negotiations.”

Gul said a settlement would benefit all nations in the region and the recent developments in the Middle East made the settlement of Cyprus problem imperative.

Then the President stressed that the state of play would not be permitted to last forever and that a settlement based on equality, bizonality, political equality and UN parameters should be reached.

Gul said, “Alternative settlements could be considered” if an agreement based on partnership could not be reached.

He also underlined that Turkey would never concede Turkish Cypriots becoming a minority within Greek Cypriots.

Abdullah Gul in his speech at the parade today referred to the water pipeline between Turkey and TRNC nearing completion that 75 million tons of potable water is expected to flow.

He said their desire was to see the water crown a just and stable settlement and benefit both sides of the island.

TAK