Lit wrote:Eroglu repeats that Turkey’s occupation forces will always maintain their presence in Cyprus
Illegal Bayrak television (20.09.09) broadcast the following:
“Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu has said that Turkey’s presence in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will continue. As long as the embargoes continue against the TRNC, Turkey will never open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels’, said the Prime Minister.
This statement was made by Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu in response decisions taken by the Greek Cypriot National Council. Noting that the Greek Cypriot National Council had for years been calling on the Turkish Army to leave the island and for Turkish origin nationals to leave the country as well as calling for the removal of the guarantees as it claims there is no need, the Prime Minister said that these are what the Greek Cypriots have been longing for.
Stressing that the Turkish peace forces will never leave the island for the sake of the Greek Cypriots, Mr. Eroglu said: ‘We want the continuation of the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turks of Cyprus under Turkey’s guarantee. What the Greek National Council wants will never happen’.
Reminding that the Greek Cypriot administration had announced that it would prevent Turkey’s EU membership if it does not fulfill its obligations, Mr. Eroglu stressed that Turkey has put forward it own preconditions. ‘As long as the embargoes against the TRNC are not lifted it will not open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels’, he said.
‘Primarily the European Union should first fulfill the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriots before the 24th of April and then bring this issue to the agenda’, added Eroglu.”
I will agree with Eroglu that Turkish occupation forces have more possibilities to stay in Cyprus than he has.