Turkish side pushes April 2010 deadline for Cyprus deal

NEGOTIATIONS on the Cyprus problem cannot be completed by the end of the year, Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed yesterday.

Speaking at a joint news conference at the end of his visit to Ankara, Talat referred to the need to set timeframes, as well as involve the UN in his direct talks with President Demetris Christofias. He also spoke of “alternative solutions” if a deal could not be found.

“This procedure can’t last forever. There needs to be a timeframe and we need to know when the procedure will end,” said Gul. He said his assessment was that “the negotiating procedure can’t be completed by the end of the current year”.

“In order for such an agreement to succeed, two component states should be created and the Greek Cypriot side must understand that Turkish Cypriots are equal partners. They are aware of this but they need to digest it,” said Gul.

Talat said Ankara’s support was of great significance to the Turkish Cypriot community. “We have no other support. We are working for a solution to the Cyprus problem. We asked for an expansion of the procedure with the participation of the EU and UN, but the Greek side keeps objecting, using its privileges.”

Talat also deemed it impossible to reach a solution by the end of the year. “It seems a solution in 2009 is not possible. It is our strong desire that negotiations are complete before the 2010 [Turkish Cypriot] presidential elections.”

“We desire a timeframe and an intervention by the UN. The negotiations can’t go on forever. If the whole procedure collapses, we have other alternative solutions, but we will not be discussing them at this phase.”

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