Messages on the Cyprus problem, Varosha, the relationship between the two communities in Cyprus, the gas issue and Greek-Turkish relations were sent by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who paid an illegal visit to the occupied territories. Cavusoglu met with representatives of the Turkish Cypriot leadership and community and reiterated his government's well-known positions on a number of issues.
At noon on Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister met with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. The meeting took place at the "presidential residence" and was attended by representatives of the Turkish Cypriot leadership and the Turkish government. After the meeting, Mr. Cavusoglu and Mr. Tatar gave a joint interview in which they reiterated their known positions on the Cyprus problem, the gas issue and Varosha.
Describing the meeting with Mr. Tatar as constructive, Mr. Referring to the Cyprus issue, Cavusoglu said that "for the start and success of the new negotiation process, it is clear that the sovereign equality and equal status of the Turkish Cypriot people must be enshrined. These are the rights (of the TCs) which were registered in 1960 but which were later usurped (by the Gypsies) and which cannot be contested. This is because this would mean the recognition of the identity of the Turkish Cypriot people as well. Negotiations are possible between equals. Otherwise they are meaningless. We have experienced this for 54 years. We have no more 50 years to lose."
Referring to the joint Turkish-Turkish leadership effort to promote the two-state solution, Cavusoglu called on the EU, which in his view expresses the positions of the Greek Cypriot side, to recognize "the will of the Turkish Cypriots."
Regarding the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), Cavusoglu claimed that the new proposal of the G/K side attempts to mislead the international community and that it is nothing but the re-promotion of old ideas.
According to him, the Greek side is promoting a new MoU in reaction to the developments in Varosha. Referring to Varosha, Cavusoglu also said the following: "The Greek Cypriot side wants to take back Varosha. I repeat from this platform that Varosha is the territory of 'tdvk'. The measures taken in the context of the opening of Varosha do not violate international law and are in the interest of the 'peoples' of the island.
The Greek Cypriot side should not try in vain to put the issue on the agenda of the European Union. (Instead) it should assess the opportunities. For example, it should not jokingly claim that the sunbed placed on the Varosha beach is a threat to international security, he said.
Cavusoglu announced that in the next period the Turkish side will submit its own proposals for the MoU.
In response to a question from a Turkish journalist, the Turkish Foreign Minister also said that, "(the Gypsies) started to feel uncomfortable with the opening of Varosha. They are very concerned due to the fact that the Greek Cypriot people also want to use their property in Varosha. This is the most natural right." He also claimed that by bringing up the MoU, the Greek side is trying to bypass the Turkish side.
On the Eastern Mediterranean issue, Cavusoglu reiterated that the proposal of the Turkish side remains on the table.
In response to a question, Cavusoglu said the following about Greek-Turkish relations. (However) he made negative statements (at the press conference). Our President (opposes such moves) and does not want the involvement of third countries in our bilateral relations. So let us solve our problems on the basis of a high level of cooperation. Let us hold the meeting at the Thessaloniki Council for which, 7 years after the Smyrna meeting in 2015, Greece has not yet sent us an invitation."
Cavusoglu also added that "(in the new period) NATO is interested in security, especially solidarity. At this juncture, Greece is pushing for products, including F-16s, not to be delivered to the Turkish defense industry. This behaviour is unacceptable. We are not in favour of tension. We are in favour of cooperation, we are in favour of fair sharing in the Eastern Mediterranean. And we explained this in the letter we sent to the UN."
In response to another question, Cavusoglu also said that he is not concerned about the Greek Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Cyprus.
Tatar's allegations
For his part, Mr. Tatar reiterated his well-known position on the "two-state solution", claiming that the roots of this "solution" lie in the founding agreements of 1960, a position that was also reiterated by previous representatives of the T/C side. Tatar also referred to last year's conference held in Geneva, as well as the MOUs proposed by the G/C side, saying that the G/C side relates these measures to the opening of Turkish ports in the Republic of Cyprus and "the modification of the balance in the airspace (of Cyprus) to the detriment of the TCs."
"We are not going to accept these proposals. Because the intention behind them is to further expand the power of the Republic of Cyprus and violate the sovereign rights" of the occupied territories, he said.
Tatar also claimed that "the Turkish Cypriot side will present its own proposals, namely a series of partnerships between the two states that will benefit both 'peoples'."
[P (ON THE OTHER HAND) THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN AND UKRAINE SHOW THAT DIFFERENT BALANCES ARE NOW EMERGING IN THE WORLD AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE 'TDVK' AND TURKEY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR MAINTAINING THE BALANCE IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN. (AT THE SAME TIME) WE ARE FOLLOWING GREECE'S INITIATIVES ON THE AEGEAN ISLANDS WITH GREAT DISCOMFORT AND WE CONDEMN ALL THESE EFFORTS WHICH ARE AGAINST THE CONCEPT OF AGREEMENTS AND WE CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO PREVENT SIMILAR SITUATIONS IN CYPRUS."On Varosha, Tatar claimed that "(in the new period) the projects in the region will be implemented step by step. As announced recently, to date 500,000 have visited Varosha, which has been transformed into an international destination. As we all know and the Turkish Cypriots, (i.e.) the EBKAF have historical rights to the area. (At the same time) we are acting in accordance with international law. Regarding the real estate commission accepted by the European Court of Human Rights, we have to do what is necessary to fulfill the rights of the former residents. I would like to point out that despite the pressure from the Greek Cypriot administration (at the moment) there are 459 applications. I hope that these applications will increase over time."
The goal of upgrading the occupied territories
On Monday morning, Mevlut Cavusoglu held a meeting in occupied Nicosia with the "foreign minister", Tahsin Ertugrouloglu. In this meeting, Cavusoglu reiterated the well-known position of the Turkish side on the "two-state solution."
On the Cyprus issue, Cavusoglu said that "our position on the negotiation process is clear: There must be a two-state solution. There must be negotiations between two equal sovereign states. We explain this position on every platform (at every opportunity)."
He went on to add that "the Greek Cypriot side and Greece propagate that the Cyprus problem started in 1974. Against this, we emphasize our just struggle everywhere. (We stress) that the problem started in 1955 and what happened in 1960 and after. We are also making intensive efforts to increase the visibility of 'tdvk' in the international arena. We have intensified our contacts in order to open new representative offices in countries deemed appropriate by tdvk. Tdvk also has status in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and has applied for observer status in the Organisation as a 'Turkish Cypriot state'. This application will be discussed at the meeting in Uzbekistan at the end of the year."
Ertugrouloglu, for his part, reiterated his well-known positions on the Cyprus problem, claiming that by launching the effort to promote the idea of "the two-state solution, a new page has been opened" in the Cyprus problem.
Message of "two-state solution" from occupied Lapitho
The Turkish Foreign Minister met on Sunday afternoon in occupied Lapitho with representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community. During the meeting, Cavusoglu sent messages on the Cyprus problem and developments on the hydrocarbons issue.
Speaking about the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that "Under the leadership of our President (Recep Tayyip Erdogan), we are working for a strong Turkey in practice and at the table. A strong Turkey means a strong 'tdvk'. Although there are problems (on the TC side) these can be overcome. Our ancestors sacrificed themselves to protect Turkish Cypriots. We have experienced many difficulties having solidarity (with each other). Turkey has never left the Turkish Cypriots alone."
Chavusoglu went on to say that "Now we have broken the mould in Cyprus as well. We have been negotiating on the federation for years. However, the Greek Cypriot side rejected the plans that emerged for the federation because they did not want to share anything with you. It turned the table in Crans-Montana. After Crans Montana there is sovereign equality, not political equality. It is about the two-state solution. We are working to impose Turkish Cypriot sovereignty on everyone."
Cavusoglu referred to the issue of confidence-building measures (CBMs), claiming that "the Greek Cypriot side is trying to weaken the negotiations by re-pushing (some) issues that were at the centre of the negotiations in the past as confidence-building steps." He went on to add that "We are present to take confidence-building measures. But (at the same time) in general we are very well aware of the reason behind the attempt to select important elements from the solution framework which some are marketing as confidence-building measures. We never fall into such traps. If the Greek Cypriot side is sincere, let it recognise the equality of the Turkish Cypriot side. (First) We will recognize political sovereignty and (then) we will cooperate."
In occupied Lapitho, Cavusoglu also said on the hydrocarbons issue that "our proposals have been known for years. We will not allow the usurpation of the rights of both Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. To this end we are taking the necessary measures. At the same time, we are showing both Europe and the whole world that we are in favour of fair sharing."
Source: CNA
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