Turkey Convenes For a Cyprus Summit

It is anticipated that the final text will represent the State’s Cyprus policy. Before the meeting, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, Ugur Ziyal, will provide a brief about a new proposal prepared within the framework of the Annan Plan. The direction of the rule of conduct is to be determined in the summit, the Foreign Ministry will then develop the propsal by exchanging views with various related departments of the state. A final draft of the proposal will be decided in another summit. After that, TRNC President, Rauf Denktas, will be invited to Ankara.

Some sources, starting with the Cumhuriyet newspaper, claimed there were differences between the military and civilian wings on the Cyprus issue; however, both parties denied those claims. In addition to the Cankaya summit, it is requested that the subject of Cyprus be discussed in a National Security Council meeting where all the force commanders would be present.

Republican People’s Party Leader, Deniz Baykal, wants the subject to be taken up in a MGK meeting and if no consensus is reached at today’s summit, that will happen in a MGK meeting scheduled for January 24. Reportedly, the European Union (EU) adaptation process will also be discussed in the summit today.

Previously, the President and the Cabinet Council had been briefed and an exchange of views had taken place about the proposal. With the military wing, the proposal was examined within the consideration of the national security. Views of the General Staff officials are examined in the studies conducted at the Foreign Ministry regarding the subject. Diplomatic sources stated that the solution for Cyprus issue is important to Turkey’s E.U. membership prospects and all institutions and establishments accept that unanimously.

Sources revealed that some items of the proposal are being reviewed carefully, the issue will be taken up in parallel to the E.U. calendar, and a ‘blank check’ on the subject is out of the question.