Turkish PM and Talat stress a "two state" solution in Cyprus under UN

Erdogan and Talat met in Nicosia, where the Turkish prime minister paid a visit to attend the celebrations of the 34th anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operation of the Turkish armed forces. Â

 

"The solution of Cyprus (issue) would be in the framework of a new partnership relation which would be formed between two equal communities and two founder states under the umbrella of the United Nations and the goodwill mission of the UN General-Secretary, based on the realities of the island," Erdogan told at a televised joint press conference with Talat.

 

Turkey acknowledges that the government of Turkish Cypriots in the north makes "active and constructive efforts" to solve the Cyprus issue and Ankara's support would continue, Erdogan added. "The Turkish government had been displaying remarkable efforts in order to find a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue," he said.

 

He also expressed his expectations that two Cypriot leaders to agree on a date to start comprehensive talks. "During their upcoming meeting, we are expecting the two leaders to agree on the date to start comprehensive talks".

 

The election of Demetris Christofias had given a new impetus to peace process and injected hope to resolve the issue. The leaders held four meetings since March and the works of technical committees are underway to detail various subjects.

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS

Although Christofias was non-committal on July 8 on whether a definite date would be set on July 25 for subsequent direct talks, Turkish side keeps its hopes high.

 

Talat said he is hopeful that Christofias and he could declare the resumption of comprehensive talks when they met again in the island on July 25.Â

 

"Thus a new solution process will begin in Cyprus... Turkish Cypriot side wants to settle Cyprus problem as soon as possible by a solution based on our political equality and equal status of bi-zonal two founder states," Talat said at the news conference.

 

Reunification talks have been deadlocked since 2004, when Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N. reunification blueprint in a referendum, in which Turkish Cypriots approved the so-called Annan plan.

 

Erdogan reminded that it was the Greek Cypriot administration who had blocked the previous process and the new process could proceed rapidly if Christofias adopts a positive approach towards solution like Talat.

 

"The south (Greek Cypriots) was rewarded although it rejected the solution. The north (Turkish Cypriots) was punished despite it supported the solution in 2004... We want justice to be revealed," Erdogan said.

 

WATER ISSUE ON THE ISLAND

Talat said that Turkey was ready to extend every type of assistance, when a reporter asked about the water problem of the island.

 

"At first, we may transport water by tankers and then we can bring water to the island through a pipeline. In any cases, the Turkish Prime Minister said that Turkey would support transferring water to the Greek Cypriot administration," Talat also said.

 

Talat said that he had informed the Greek Cypriot authorities but they had not received a formal answer yet. The Greek Cypriot spokesman had said they do not want to take water from north.

 

Erdogan said the works on the project to build the pipeline between southern Turkey and Northern Cyprus had started and expected to be concluded in the summer of 2009. "It would take maximum three years to conclude the project once the initial works finished," he added.

 

CELEBRATIONS OF CYPRUS PEACE OPERATION

Erdogan is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, State Minister Murat Basesgioglu, Economy Minister Mehmet Simsek, Interior Minister Besir Atalay, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker, Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim and Environment Minister Veysel Eroglu in his visit to Cyprus.

 

The delegation of Turkish government would attend the celebrations of 34th anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operation. The Turkish army had earlier announced it will also attend the ceremonies.

 

In 1974 Greece attempted to annex the island, through a coup attempt. However this attempt was resisted by Turkey in accordance with the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee. Consequently, Turkish Cypriots set up their own Republic, while continuing the search for reconciliation.

 

The coup staged by the military junta in Athens in July 15, 1974 resulted in further bloodshed in the form of massacres of Turkish Cypriots and through clashes between anti- and pro-coup Greek Cypriot factions.

 

During the events of 1974 more Turkish Cypriots went missing who remain unaccounted for until today. The intervention of Turkish army had saved many lives on the island. The Greek Cypriot leader Makarios, barely managing to escape, appeared on 19 July 1974 in the Security Council to accuse Greece of an act of invasion and occupation.

 

The Turkish Cypriot state began on Saturday celebrating its peace and freedom day. The celebrations were launched in the Northern Cyprus with a televised and radio-broadcast speech of Talat.

 

In his speech, Talat called on Turkish Cypriot people to overcome its problems with social and economic development programs, and integrate to the European Union (EU) and world. Talat reaffirmed his nation's determination and readiness to resolve Cyprus problem.