GERMAN CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel has been accused of “bias” and “forgetfulness” by the Turkish leadership following her comments made during her first ever official visit to Cyprus on Tuesday.
The visit made the headlines throughout Cyprus and Turkey, whipping up a storm among the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press after Merkel praised President Demetris Christofias’ courage, creativity and initiative in trying to solve the Cyprus problem.
“We see that you are taking many steps and we also see that the Turkish side is not responding adequately,” she said, adding that it was clear Christofias was ready for a compromise.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday accused Merkel of bias in blaming the Turkish side for the impasse in the peace talks.
“If Mrs Merkel had listened to both sides, she wouldn’t have made such biased comments,” said Davutoglu during a news conference in Ankara.
A statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry reinforced the message to Germany, saying: “Under current circumstances, we find it thought-provoking that Germany, a leading country in the EU and a temporary member of the UN Security Council, has commented on the negotiation process in Cyprus in the light of information provided by the Greek Cypriot side only.”
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded immediately during a visit to Qatar on Tuesday, suggesting Merkel have tea with her predecessor Gerhard Schroeder to learn a thing or two about Cyprus.
“Apparently, Merkel thinks that the Cyprus issue is a process which has begun during her term of office. It is also clear that she does not know about the history of the Cyprus issue. If she has had the chance to talk to former leader of the main opposition party, she would have known those who are responsible for the Cyprus issue.”
Erdogan went on to remind everyone that it was the Turkish Cypriots who voted ‘yes’ in the Annan Plan referenda while the Greek Cypriots rejected it yet still joined the EU.
“I guess Merkel has forgotten what she has said. It was her who said that it was wrong to admit southern Cyprus into the EU. But now, she pays a visit to the Greek Cypriot administration and makes such a statement. I call on the Chancellor to look into the history of the time, and have tea with Gerhard Schroeder,” said Erdogan.
Berlin’s responded to the criticism through Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert who was quoted by Reuters saying: “The chancellor knows very well it was the Greek Cypriots who turned down the UN plan in 2004. She doesn’t need any historical lectures on this.”
Meanwhile, all the Turkish papers ran with the story yesterday with Zaman using the headline, “Statements by Angela Merkel that will anger Turkey”, while Cumhuriyet had, “Merkel has found the culprit for the Cyprus problem”.
The Turkish Cypriot press was a touch less diplomatic, with daily Kibris using the headline, “Merkel’s fiasco”. Kibrisli chose not to mince its words, heading the article with: “Nasty European.”
Vatan ran with “Look what unfounded thing she said” while daily Star Kibris had: “The German queen talked big”. In its article, Haberdar spoke to a number of Turkish Cypriot politicians who voiced their anger, under the banner: “Why don’t you just shut up.”
In the same vein, daily Gunes ran with the simple yet effective: “Merkel bullshitted”.
Unsurprisingly, Merkel’s visit was seen positively across the Greek Cypriot political spectrum, encouraging a rare moment of unity.
DISY spokesman Haris Georgiades said the visit was without a doubt important and the messages “especially positive”.
“It confirms that in Europe, particularly within the European People’s Party but not only, there are heads of state, political groups and potential that we must make use of,” he said.
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said her statements “were more proof that President Christofias’ policy, initiatives and efforts to solve the Cyprus problem are recognised and appreciated in Europe and internationally.”
AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou viewed Merkel’s visit an “absolute success”. EDEK spokesman Demetris Papadakis welcomed Merkel’s statements, saying they “showed up Turkey’s bad faith and intransigence as the reason for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem”.
DIKO spokesman Fotis Fotiou said it was “perhaps the first time that a European leader has portrayed reality in the right context and with absolute clarity”.
Even one of Christofias’ fiercest critics on the Cyprus peace talks, EVROKO leader Demetris Syllouris, described the visit as “very positive”
