President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the Turkish Cypriot Side’s willingness and support for the peaceful settlement of the Cyprus Problem continued.
The President’s words came during a visit paid to him by the Turkish Jewish Community.
Speaking during the visit, the President of the Turkish Jewish community based in Istanbul, Silvio Ovadia expressed his community’s readiness to support the Turkish Cypriot people in any way possible.
For his part, President Mehmet Ali Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot people, who supported policies accepted by the international community, needed more support that any other community in the world.
He said that everyone knew the injustice of the embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people.
Reminding that Turkish Cypriots had been labeled as intransigent and uncompromising until 2004, Talat said that this had changed following the 2004 referendum and that the Turkish Cypriot people still desired a peaceful solution to the Cyprus Problem.
He however pointed out that the international isolations still continued.
Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot Administration, well aware of the Turkish Cypriot Side’s willingness for a solution, was touring around the world and using its EU membership to pressure Turkey, the President reminded that Ankara supported a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.
Talat also complained that the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias had used his opportunity to meet with US President Obama at the NATO summit to complain about Turkey.
“Just think about it…you walk up to someone you’re meeting for the first time and then you complain to them” said the President.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot Side’s willingness for a peaceful settlement despite all the negative developments, Talat said “we are deeply grateful to you and for the support you have shown us along the way. You have also supported us in the international arena. I am extremely pleased.”
Asked to comment about the US President’s words on the Cyprus Problem, the President said that they welcomed the interest shown by Washington for a settlement.
President Talat said that they expected the United States, as a superpower, to show interest and contribute to efforts aimed at finding a lasting solution on the island.