Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

The Turkish Cypriot Side is pleased with the interest shown to the Cyprus problem by the international community.
TRNC Presidential Spokesman Hasan Ercakica said that this interest was an important motivation for the Turkish Cypriot Side’s ongoing efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement before the end of 2009.

Speaking to reporters at his weekly press briefing, the Presidential Spokesman said that the Turkish Cypriot side welcomed and was pleased with the high interest shown towards the Cyprus Problem both at the recent EU-US Summit as well as during the US President’s visit to Turkey.

He complained that the Greek Cypriot leadership, which constantly tried to silence and prevent the Turkish Cypriot Side from conveying its position to the international community, had used all opportunities to meet with US officials during the summit.
“We watched in astonishment as the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias even used a photo opportunity to convey his own side’s views to the US President” Ercakica said.

Pointing out that it was misfortunate to see that the Greek Cypriot side used its contacts to raise the pressure on Turkey, he said statements made last week from Ankara reaffirmed its support to the ongoing solution process.
He said such efforts would not be beneficial to anyone.

Ercakica also accused the Greek Cypriot leader of distorting the political realities and situation on the island during his recent visit to Italy.
“Christofias claimed that the current situation on the island was artificial, that Cyprus was a unitary state and that the Turkish Cypriots were trying to break off from the unitary state and form a federation” he added.
The spokesman said such efforts made it harder to reach a settlement on the island.

Responding to a question on European Parliamentary elections, Ercakica said President Talat was still expecting a response to his letter in which he proposed that the two seats belonging to the Turkish Cypriots should be kept empty.
Explaining that planning for a visit to the US by President was still continuing, the spokesman stopped short of giving a date.

He however added the visit was expected to take place in April.
Also touching upon the meeting between US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Greek Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianu, Ercakica complained that Kyprianu had used the opportunity to complain about Turkey.
The Greek Cypriot Side’s mission should not be to complain but to focus on reaching a settlement” Ercakica stressed.