Cyprus-Forum.com

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Presidential Spokesman Hasan Ercakica has said that the Cyprus negotiations process is speedily heading towards a natural deadline.
Ercakica told reporters at the weekly briefing yesterday that the Turkish Cypriot Side was deeply disturbed by the Greek Cypriot Administration using its diplomacy to prevent a settlement on the island.

He said that recent developments that have taken place on UN and EU platforms are clear proof of this.

Stating that the efforts put forward by the Greek Cypriot Side to destroy the 23rd of May agreement, which refers to the political equality of two constituent states, should be perceived as an effort aimed at preventing a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus Problem, Ercakica stressed that any solution to be found to the Cyprus Problem must be on the basis of
agreements reached by the two leaders.

Referring to the recent resolution adopted by the EU Council regarding Turkey, the Presidential Spokesman complained that the resolution reflected the Greek Cypriot Side’s views.

“The Greek Cypriot Side is trying to delay a political settlement on the island by ‘imprisoning’ Turkish-EU relations with the Cyprus Problem” he said.

Stressing that Turkey’s accession into the EU and a political settlement in Cyprus simultaneously was highly unlikely; Ercakica said that efforts to pressure Turkey through the EU will only lead to a loss of time in reaching a solution to the Cyprus Problem.

Touching upon the Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan’s latest statement highlighting the need to set a deadline in the Cyprus talks and for the UN to take on a mediating role, the Presidential Spokesman said that Greek Cypriot accusations that the Turkish Cypriot wanted the UN as a mediator because it did not want a solution, were illogical and ill intended.

Responding to a question, the Presidential Spokesman said that the Turkish Cypriot Side would not be disturbed by the UN taking on a mediator role.

Reminding of the upcoming elections at the European Parliament next year and the TRNC Presidential Elections in 2010, Ercakica said that it was important to prevent the talks from becoming campaign propaganda.

He said that the best way of averting this was by complete negotiations and voting on the final settlement plan by the end of next summer.

The Presidential Spokesman also announced the schedule for next month’s negotiations, stating that the two leaders will be meeting on the 5th, 12th and 16th of January.