Cyprus: New Political Party Unveiled in TRNC

At a press conference at the Saray Hotel in Lefkosa (Nicosia), Erel introduced the party’s founding principles and objectives and added that it would work for a bilateral solution and EU membership.

Consisting mainly of the members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Foundation Committee submitted its manifesto to the Interior Ministry of TRNC on Thursday. It has formally started operatiing.

Erel has been active in finding a solution for Cyprus and for European Union (EU) membership through organizing meetings entitled, "Common Vision", when the Annan Plan was on the agenda.

Criticizing the parties who opposed the Annan Plan by disenfranchising Turkish Cypriots, Erel stressed the need for a change in seat numbers, adding that the "New United States of Cyprus" would accede to EU on the basis of the Annan Plan, before May 1, 2004.

Saying that a considerable amount of work lay ahead before the December elections, Erel called for consensus between the Republican Turkish Party and Peace and the Democracy Movement party, both of which desire a solution and EU membership.

Negotiators to Change

Ali Erel also said the representatives negotiating with the Greek Cypriot side would be changed by the coalition formed after the elections. He added that the president would remain in power but the negotiators would be replaced.

The new party rests on the effective and de facto guarantee of Turkey, both for a solution in Cyprus and for EU membership.

Cihan News Agency / Lefkosa (Nicosia) / TRNC