Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

Presidential Spokesman Hasan Ercakica said that Turkey’s unconditional support to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was extremely important for the Turkish Cypriot Side’s influence at the Cyprus Peace talks.


Ercakica also said that it was out of the question for Turkish Cypriots to be represented at the European Parliament by Greek Cypriot representatives.


Speaking at his routine weekly press briefing this afternoon, the Presidential Spokesman evaluated the President’s latest contacts as well as other issues related to the Cyprus Problem.


The Presidential Spokesman told reporters that the latest stage reached in the Cyprus negotiations process had been the focus of the meeting held last week between President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan.


He said that the most important part of the foreign minister’s contacts was the face-to-face meeting with President Mehmet Ali Talat.


Pointing out that there was total harmony and cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC regarding the Cyprus Problem, Ercakica said that the serious preparations carried out by the two countries was proof of their sincerity at the talks.


Explaining that the President had received the British Minister in Charge of European Affairs Caroline Flint today, the spokesman said that the ongoing negotiations process was top on the agenda of the meeting.


Ercakica also announced that President Mehmet Ali Talat will be receiving the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn who will be visiting the island this week, on Friday morning.


“We expect the meeting to focus on the Cyprus Problem and our relations with the European Union” he added.


Touching upon Ozdil Nami’s contacts in Brussels, Ercakica said that the Presidential aide had met with the permanent representatives of the current and succeeding EU term presidents, the Czech Republic and Sweden, as well as Germany.


Ercakica also said that Nami had met with Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and was expected to meet with EU permanent representatives of Britain, Italy and France during his stay.


Responding to a question concerning the debate regarding membership to the Greek Cypriot Football Federation, Ercakica said that it was important to reflect the principle of political equality, which the Turkish Cypriot Side strived to achieve at the talks, to all walks of life.


“Political equality is what symbolizes Turkish Cypriot existence on this island. This is extremely important when it comes to any institutional relations to be established with Greek Cypriots. This principle will continue. This is an issue on which the President is highly sensitive” he stressed.


Asked to comment about a call made by Greek Cypriot political parties for Turkish Cypriot candidates to run in the European Parliament elections, the Presidential Spokesman said that this was totally unacceptable.


“Several Greek Cypriot parties may deliberately choose Turkish Cypriot candidates in an attempt to deceive the EU in believing that Turkish Cypriots are represented within the EP” he said.


“I hope they won’t do this because it would lead to tensions”

The Presidential spokesman also called on the Greek Cypriot Administration to refrain from such actions, especially as the negotiations process was continuing.


He said that the Greek Cypriot leadership needs to accept the principle that Turkish Cypriots can only be represented within the EP or any other international platform by Turkish Cypriots elected by Turkish Cypriots.

[Kikapu]

He said that the Greek Cypriot leadership needs to accept the principle that Turkish Cypriots can only be represented within the EP or any other international platform by Turkish Cypriots elected by Turkish Cypriots.

Yeh, within the RoC and not within the "trnc", since it is the RoC who is in the EU and not the "trnc". How complicated is it for this knucklehead, Ercakica, to understand this very simple problem.!