ERDOGAN SAYS TURKISH AND GREEK TROOPS IN CYPRUS CAN BE WITHDRAWN ONCE PEACE IS ACHIEVED
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stressed that all troops based in Cyprus will simultaneously be withdrawn from the island once peace is achieved.
The Turkish Premier said Turkey is maintaining its stance on the issue of troops in Cyprus.
`Troops issue is the final issue to be dealt with. Once everyone completes his duty and everything is put in order, that’s when we will take a step on the issue` he added.
Answering the questions of the Greek Cypriot Ambassador to Stockholm during the meeting -who asked if Turkey would play a positive role in the maintenance of political will towards a solution and if it was ready for the withdrawal of troops within this context-, Mr Erdogan said `We want Cyprus to be an island where there is bi-zonality and the enjoyment of equal political rights. We are ready to do all we can towards realizing this. Once Cyprus becomes the island of peace, then Turkish and Greek troops can be withdrawn simultaneously`.
Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot side is the first side to demolish the wall at the Lokmaci Barricade and the Gate is now mutually opened following the agreement reached between TC leader Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias, Erdogan emphasized that North Cyprus and Turkey are on the side of peace, not on the side of fighting.
Turkish Prime Minister added that Turkey had earlier put its signature on an agreement which envisaged the time and conditions for the withdrawal of troops from the island during Cyprus talks held in Switzerland and said Turkey is staying behind its signature.