THE policy of isolation enforced against the Turkish Cypriot people has ended, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday.
Commenting on the results of the referenda from Istanbul, Erdogan said the Greek Cypriot side had sacrificed the step of good faith while Turkey had proved that it was a country seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem.
“The Greek Cypriots sacrificed the step of good faith by denying to contribute to a fair and permanent solution in Cyprus,” Erdogan said.
He added: “I believe that the policy of isolation enforced on the Turkish Cypriot people has ended today.”
The Turkish Prime Minister said that no one had the right to have a negative approach towards Turkey, which had always shown a positive attitude on the negotiating table and sought a solution.
He said the will of the Turkish Cypriot people was displayed in a democratic manner adding that if there had been a ‘yes’ from both sides then it would have been better as both would have entered the EU.
Erdogan said a different situation had formed and claimed that in his personal opinion the Greek Cypriot side did not want a fair solution to the problem.
“We did not want this result but it is the Greek Cypriots who lost,” he added.
The Turkish Prime Minister said he believed the world would embrace the Turkish Cypriots who it had isolated for years.
“I think they should do it by sharing whatever necessary in relation to human rights, supremacy of law, education, art, history and tourism,” Erdogan said.
At the same time Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul scattered any hope of fresh referenda, which AKEL hoped would be granted in order to reverse the negative result.
“A new referendum is not realistic because the ‘no’ vote in the south is so high,” Gul said.
Greek government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos said that Greece, along with Cyprus, would strive to keep open the procedure for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.
He said the Cypriot people had taken its decision, which would be respected by everyone.
Rousopoulos however suggested that it was in the interest of all parties for the rapprochement between the two communities to continue within the EU framework.
“A new period starts in a few days.
“Cyprus joins the European Union and starts in European course as a full member; within the EU framework, it would be to everyone’s interest to continue the effort of rapprochement between Greek and Turkish Cypriots,” the Greek spokesman said.
He reiterated Greece’s readiness to stand by Cyprus’ side and tackle the new state of affairs in co-operation with the Cypriot government.
