"The attempt by Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades to present the acquired equality of the Turkish Cypriot side as a (new) demand for political equality after what has happened since 1955 and over 50 years of unsuccessful negotiations is the reason why the federal partnership in Cyprus has not been achieved and is not viable." claims, in a new statement, the special representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ergyun Olgun.
The statement reads as follows: "The acquired equality of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot peoples is not a matter for discussion. During the British Colonial Administration, twice in 1956 and 1958, the British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary confirmed to Parliament the fact that both communities have a separate right to self-determination. This was reflected in the 1960 Treaties and recognised as (the status of) an equal component of the two sides. The Republic of Cyprus was established as a partnership."
The statement goes on to refer to the events of December 1963 and the claim that the Republic of Cyprus was subsequently transformed into a Greek Cypriot-controlled state. "Faced with these events, the Turkish Cypriot side also created its own independent and sovereign state," claims his associate Ersin Tatar.
He adds that "considering that the island is Greek and that Greek Cypriots have more rights, the Greek Cypriot side attempts to impose on the Turkish Cypriot side a majority decision-making mechanism (i.e. characteristic of unitary states), using its (numerical) superiority as an excuse. (For its part) the Turkish Cypriot side argued that a federal partnership between the two sides in Cyprus is unlikely and unsustainable.
Thus, it proposed, it added, a rational and realistic new way forward, a vision that envisages institutional cooperation. This vision is based on the sovereign equality of the two existing states and their sovereign equality in a way that leaves no room for superiority to either side. It envisages a compromise based on institutional cooperation based on their international status."
It is noted that the statement refers to a new academic research by Tözün Bahçeli and Sid Noel, Professors of Political Science at Kings University College, Canada, according to whom there is no room for a federal solution in Cyprus.
Source: CNA
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