Turkish Cypriot FM slams Greek Cypriot stance on island

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
20/05/2011 21:47

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkish-cypriot-fm-slams-greek-cypriot-stance-2011-05-19



Greek Cypriots will only be the neighbors – and not the partners – of Turkish Cypriots as long as they continue to display the same stance on the Cyprus issue, the foreign minister in the island’s north said Wednesday.

"By preserving our good intentions and showing possible flexibility, we will continue to participate in negotiations for a comprehensive solution," Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Huseyin Özgürgün said at a conference in Turkey's southern province of Adana. "If Greek Cypriots keep displaying their current stance, they will not become our partners, but they will remain as our neighbors. Turkish Cyprus is the guarantee of our independence and rights on the island.”

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
20/05/2011 21:48

Özgürgün said using the Cyprus issue as an obstacle on Turkey's road to European Union membership was unfair.





Pointing to the compromises requested from the Turkish Cypriot side for the solution to the island’s conflict, Özgürgün said, "The continuation of the [guarantor status] system is of vital importance for Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish side will never approve a comprehensive agreement that does not envisage Turkey's active guarantor [status]."

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
20/05/2011 21:48

Özgürgün said Turkish Cypriots wanted a new partnership based on the political equality of two nations, the equal status of two founding states, a bizonal structure and a continuation of Turkey's role as an active guarantor state

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
20/05/2011 21:53

What exactly has prompted this foolish and insignificant third-rater to make rants like this at stage when confidence-building prior to the July meeting is supposed to be going on? Is attacking the other side his only contribution to progress?

Hopefully Turkey will kick his butt and remind him of who pulls the strings in Cyprus.