Olgun “We are against the EU being included in the Cyprus talks”

The Special Representative of Turkish Cypriot leader Ergün Olgun announced that the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar will be meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo on March 15 next week.

“THE AIM OF DICARLO’S VISIT IS TO RECEIVE AN OUTLOOK OF OUR VIEWS FOR A COMMON GROUND TO BE REACHED FOR OFFICIAL NEGOTIATIONS TO BEGIN”

Pointing out that common ground does not exist for the resumption of a new negotiation process between the two sides, Olgun referred to the reason for DiCarlo’s visit to the island “Rosemary DiCarlo's visit has been arranged to coincide with the completion of the South Cyprus elections and the Greek Cypriot leader being determined. DiCarlo aims to understand the thoughts and perspectives of both sides for the upcoming period regarding the Cyprus problem and to view whether there is ground for the resumption of official talks in Cyprus”.

Referring to the visit carried out by Head of the UN Peacekeeping Force Mission Colin Stewart to the Greek Cypriot side, Olgun said that they expressed their thoughts, under their perspective, to reach a common ground.

Olgun said that their perspective is to continue the negotiation process from where it left off, however, those negotiations have ended. The Greek Cypriot side has refused to share power with the Turkish Cypriot side and has sought reconciliation based on equality that only suits the terms of the Republic of Cyprus at all talks so far. This is clear proof that the reconciliation is only based on the legitimacy of the Greek Cypriot side, Olgun said.

“THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE HAS CONCRETE SUGGESTIONS”

Ergün Olgun said that even if an agreement between the two sides is not reached, we should not become captive to the outcome. The Turkish Cypriot side has concrete proposals on issues concerning the daily lives of both sides. Firstly, joint efforts need to be carried out on earthquake preparedness in Cyprus and the fight against the risk of forest fires. Therefore, it is important to be prepared in the period ahead and our desire is to be involved in serious efforts in the preparation of mechanisms related to these issues. This will also be on the agenda during the meeting with DiCarlo," he said.

“WE ARE ABSOLUTELY AGAINST INCLUDING THE EU IN THE PROCESS”

The Cyprus process only includes the two sides of the island and the three guarantor states, Olgun said. Third parties getting involved, and bringing their own national and common interests to the table will only complicate efforts. The UN is in an impartial position, he said adding that the Turkish Cypriot side is against mechanisms that try to import their national interests into the process. For this reason, we are absolutely against the Greek Cypriot side's request to include the EU in the process, Olgun said.

“WE HAVE A DESIRE TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH THE EU”

The Special Representative Ergün Olgun also referred to the upcoming visit to the island next week by the highest bureaucrat of the EU Commission that is involved with the Cyprus issue Mario Nava. “We will most likely have a meeting with Mario Nava. Within the framework of that meeting, we would like to express our thoughts and desire to develop relations with the EU. We will put forward our wish to have direct contact with the EU, so that intense and direct contact with our politicians, officials of the Turkish Cypriot side, the EU, and also the Turkish Cypriot leader can be held. Also referring to the past proposal put forward for the Turkish Cypriot leader to visit Brussels, Olgun said that they still had not received a positive response and that this will also be brought to the agenda.