Cyprus-Forum.com

[DT.]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/ ... -Talks.php

From International Herald Tribune

UNITED NATIONS: Greek Cypriots are concerned that the government of Turkey opposes the reunification of Cyprus and wants instead two separate states, the Cypriot government spokesman says.

Stephanos Stephanou said a recent statement by the National Security Council of Turkey indicates that Turkey wants to change the longstanding agreement between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to reunify Cyprus in a loose bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

He said the Turkish statement will be high on the agenda of Friday's meeting between Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat at the residence of the U.N. special representative in Cyprus.

"The National Security Council of Turkey a few days ago came out with a statement that Turkey wants a solution of two states and speaks about the necessity of a new cooperation between the two states — of the Greek Cypriot state and the Turkish Cypriot state as they say — and this is the idea of the virgin birth of a new state," Stephanou said.

"For us this is a very dangerous position because if we agree, if we accept the idea of a virgin birth, that means we eliminate the idea of the Cyprus Republic and the history of the Cyprus Republic which is member of the United Nations and of the European Union," he told a news conference Tuesday at the U.N. Correspondents Association.

Cyprus has been divided between a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish-occupied north since 1974, when Turkey invaded after an abortive Athens-backed coup by supporters of union with Greece.

In a 2004 referendum, a U.N. reunification plan was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters and accepted by Turkish Cypriots. Soon after, the island joined the European Union, but the bloc's benefits are enjoyed only by Greek Cypriots.

The election in February of communist-rooted Christofias as Cypriot president rekindled efforts to end the country's division, and optimism grew following his meeting in March with Talat. They agreed to set up working groups to narrow differences before they begin negotiations.

Stephanou said the Greek Cypriots "are not so satisfied" with the progress of those discussions so Christofias asked for Friday's meeting "to see how can the two communities overcome the problems and the obstacles and to have progress in this procedure."

The most important problem, he said, "is the two communities to speak the same language in relation with the basis of the solution."

Following the statement by the National Security Council of Turkey, he said, "we are not sure that we speak the same language."

"The two communities in 1977 and 1979 agreed on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, the framework in which Cyprus will reunite again," Stephanou said.

"The idea ... is to transform the Republic of Cyprus to a United Republic of Cyprus as one state and not two state," he said. "This is the ... aim, goal that the two communities must agree on, and we believe that the most important element of the progress of the dialogue is that: to speak the same language on the basis of the solution."

Stephanou said "the key of the solution is in the hands of Turkey, and Turkey must change her positions on the Cyprus problem in order to allow the people of Cyprus to find (a) mutual accepted solution."

He said it's up to the international community, the European Union and the United Nations "to exercise their influence on Turkey to work towards the solution of the Cyprus problem."

If Turkey helps in a solution, Stephanou said, Turkey will have an easier time joining the European Union.

[GAVCARoCOM]

what is to do with turkey . GCs are dont want solition anyway . all about a game . endless game .

[DT.]

If Turkey helps in a solution, Stephanou said, Turkey will have an easier time joining the European Union

THink of 2 giant balls and a tiny hand squeezing them.

[GAVCARoCOM]

EU and all this system collapcing . soon komizm will be back with different version

[DT.]

EU and all this system collapcing . soon komizm will be back with different version

Thats communism, people.

[GAVCARoCOM]

thanks

[DT.]

thanks

no worries.

[roseandchan]

lots of people here have taken there kochans (title deeds) to the bank to borrow money, so the turkish bank owns lots of land here. the interest rates are so high that it must be impossible to pay it off. so in a round about way turkey owns the trnc already. i do think it will have to sort things out otherwise it has no chance of joining the e.u.

[Get Real!]

lots of people here have taken there kochans (title deeds) to the bank to borrow money, so the turkish bank owns lots of land here. the interest rates are so high that it must be impossible to pay it off. so in a round about way turkey owns the trnc already. i do think it will have to sort things out otherwise it has no chance of joining the e.u.

That rests entirely on the assumption that these "deeds" are valid and I assure you they are not.

[humanist]

it doesn't surprise me one little iota that Turkey came out with that statement. In the meantime making the people she is supposedly protecting more and more suprressed to meet her own selfish needs.

I also read a very interesting article today from the Cyprus Weekly and it does appear that Turkish speaking Cypriots are trully seeking unification but their hands are tight by mama Turka.

OOOhhh welll what do you do?