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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-12-31Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIANo. 242/99 -- 31.12.99[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Turkish Cypriot `opposition´ sees EU as final goalAccording to illegal Bayrak radio (16:30 hours, 30.12.99), Turkish Cypriot opposition leaders Serdar Denktash and Mehmet Ali Talat, who closely followed the New York talks, declared that the Cyprus problem will be solved and the target is now the EU. At the joint invitation of the ``Turkish Cypriot Public Sector Workers Union'' and the Turkish Cypriot Teachers Union, Democratic Party leader Denktash and Republican Turkish Party leader Talat assessed the developments regarding the Cyprus issue. The proximity talks and the developments within the framework of the Helsinki summit were discussed during the panel conducted at the Teachers Union hall. The leaders shared the view that the pseudostate should immediately start work on harmonization with the EU, and they called on the ``government'' to launch actions in this regard.Serdar Denktash commented in particular on the Helsinki summit, which accorded candidate status to Turkey. ``Until now, various goals were set, but Helsinki finalized the goal. The goal is now the EU. This will be achieved one way or another, but the target is final''. Noting that Cyprus can become an EU member only after a solution is reached, Serdar Denktash remarked, however, that a solution will definitely be attained. He said: ``We must exploit well the period until 2004 and adjust ourselves to EU standards in every aspect''. Denktash stressed the importance of harmonization with the EU. Pointing out that Cyprus can become a member of the EU if a solution is reached on the island, Denktash remarked that Turkey, on the other hand, needs approximately 10 years. On the subject of the Cyprus proximity talks, in which the opposition participated for the first time as observes, Denktash refrained from supplying details because of the news blackout on the subject. He stated: ``The second round, which is expected to start at the beginning of February, will also be indirect. This round will also not yield a concrete outcome. The third round, which is expected to take place in June, however, will most probably be direct and concrete issues will be discussed''. Reiterating that the acceptance of sovereignty is essential for a solution in Cyprus, Serdar Denktash said: ``The essential point is for the solution to be based on two sovereignties''. He added that the embargo on the pseudosotate will be eased as of 2000 and it will be completely eliminated in a few years. Talat, in turn, recounted that an important process consisting of interlinked events such as the proximity talks on Cyprus, the Helsinki summit, and the OSCE summit has been under way in the past few months. Cyprus occupies an important place within this process, Talat emphasized. He said that the recent developments concerning the Cyprus issue have vindicated his party´s policies and statements until now. Talat noted that especially the Helsinki summit, which accorded candidate status to Turkey and encouraged a solution in Cyprus, has initiated an irreversible process. Pointing out that together with EU candidacy, Turkey was asked to give assurances about a solution in Cyprus, Talat said that neither Turkey nor Cyprus can become EU members before the Cyprus problem is solved. ``The TRNC must launch the harmonization work with the EU without delay'', Talat declared, suggesting that for starters, the ``TRNC'' can adopt the Euro as its currency. Talat said that the ``TRNC'' must declare that it is ready to hold negotiations on harmonization with the EU, and added: ``Let us issue this call. Let us make proposals. Our status in joining the EU can be argued. This can conform to the new procedure determined by the United Nations, or another formula can be devised, but let us not remain silent in this regard.'' [02] Dentkash: Compromise important, but no concessionsIllegal Bayrak radio (16:30 hours, 30.12.99) reports that Rauf Denktash has declared that reaching a compromise with the Cyprus Government is an important factor, ``but this compromise can be attained without relinquishing the Turkish Cypriots freedom, state, and sovereignty, and Turkey´s guarantee''.He said: ``The Helsinki decision states that if there is no compromise by 2004, the EU will review all the factors again.'' Denktash noted that the EU is thus giving the Greek Cypriots the message that they should reach a compromise by 2004. Denktash stressed that from now on the Turks want a more solid agreement than the 1960 agreements. ``This consists of a state-to-state agreement,'' he said. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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