TRNC President Tufan Erhürman made evaluations regarding the Cyprus issue, UN-led talks, confidence-building measures, and the proposals of Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) leader Nikos Christodoulides during a live broadcast he attended.
Stating that there are no problems in the consultations carried out with Turkey, Erhürman reminded that no TRNC President to date has conducted negotiations without consulting the Republic of Turkey.
"We don't want negotiations for the sake of negotiations, this time we want negotiations for a solution"
Emphasizing that the talks should not be held solely for the purpose of continuing the negotiation process, Erhürman used the expression, "We don't want negotiations for the sake of negotiations, this time we want negotiations for a solution." Erhürman stated, "I am not doing this to take a photo, to blame my counterpart, or to score a goal and get ahead," noting that his goal is to achieve concrete results instead of mutual accusations.
"The UN's 7 proposals are being made to be forgotten with 19 items"
Stating that the 19 proposals brought to the agenda by GCA leader Christodoulides were never presented in writing, Erhürman said that the proposals in question were conveyed to him and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres verbally in New York. Erhürman said, "If you are bringing 19 items to the table that you have not brought to the agenda for eleven months, while there is little time left for Antonio Guterres' departure and 7 items are standing there, then it means you are trying to make the 7 items forgotten."
Noting that the proposals include issues that have been discussed for approximately 20 years, such as Varosha and Famagusta Port, Erhürman noted that it is not realistic for these to be concluded in a short time.
"Famagusta Port is not a banned port"
Evaluating the Greek Cypriot leader's proposals regarding Varosha and Famagusta Port, Erhürman said, "Famagusta Port is not a banned port, it is a legal port. Ships can come from other countries. Our problem is the issue of not being able to trade directly with the EU."
Reminding that the Direct Trade Regulation promised to the Turkish Cypriot people during the Annan Plan period has not entered into force, Erhürman criticized the Greek Cypriot side for wanting the management of the port to be transferred to the EU in exchange for direct trade.
Existing proposals are a priority at crossing points
Stating that talks regarding new crossing points are ongoing, Erhürman said that the Akıncılar, Haspolat, Kiracıköy, and Eylence crossing points are on the table. Erhürman stated that they are continuing the talks over the maps remaining from the previous President Ersin Tatar's term, and expressed that their priority is to conclude the existing proposals.
Noting that they are also making initiatives to remove the obstacles faced by the Turkish Cypriot people in the international arena, Erhürman stated that he sent letters to the UN and the EU regarding the canceled festivals and the Barcelona football camp, and that he received responses from both institutions stating that the obstructions in question were not found to be correct.
News Source: 12punto
