Eroglu responds to Talat to form govt in TRNC

LEFKOSA (AA) – National Unity Party (UBP) leader and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said that they would assume an attitude on formation of the government according to answers of Republican Turkish Party (CTP) which was designated to form the new government in TRNC.

Following the meeting of UBP assembly, Eroglu said that they wrote views of his party, asked some questions and wanted their answers in detail in the letter that they sent to CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Eroglu said that TRNC people showed in December 14 elections with their votes that they were in favor of an agreement by protecting their vested rights and stated that those issues were also discussed in the meeting of party assembly.

He stated that they focused on a government formula which would be formed by taking into account expectations of TRNC people.

Stating that they wanted to learn view of Talat and attitude of CTP on issues of "equal sovereignty, guaranties, land-property, map, and Turkish-Greek balance," Eroglu said that the answer which they would receive would be assessed by party organs and they would give a positive or negative answer on the issue.

Eroglu said that a viable agreement was targeted during negotiations which had been held in Cyprus for years and stated, "we also see today that it is not possible to reach an agreement in Cyprus only with the will of Turkish side. We have been always accused of not reaching an agreement, when reasons of not reaching an agreement have been searched. In fact, the real reason of not reaching an agreement in Cyprus is Greek Cypriot side’s being recognized as ‘Cyprus Republic’ in 1964, European Union’s (EU) opening its doors to Greek Cypriot side, which have increased Greek Cypriots’ uncompromising attitude at the negotiation table. In fact, it has been the Greek Cypriot side which has assumed an uncompromising attitude. As Clerides said, they have followed a good tactic."

Eroglu said that they encountered with Annan plan today because the world and some political parties in TRNC did not see this fact and stated, "it is not possible to accept Annan plan as a whole according to views of UBP."

Stating that whether or not there would be recovery in Annan plan was a different issue which should be discussed, he said that they asked some questions on those issues and referendum to Talat and they were waiting for answers.

Eroglu said that UBP had always been in favor of a lasting peace and a viable agreement and stated that his party would continue to pursue the stable policy it had pursued with Turkey so far.

Noting that there should be unity in TRNC for their stable policies to be accepted, he said that but they felt sad because they could not always see that unity in TRNC. Eroglu said that they wanted an agreement much more than other people in the country, but added that their "sine qua nons" were not accepted and the world disregarded facts in Cyprus.

"There are facts experienced in Cyprus. People should act by taking into account those facts. The paths to a viable agreement should be opened without disregarding the fact of two states and two people. When we are exerting efforts to fulfil our duties on the issue, we should receive some answers to some questions to solve also existing government issue," he added.