CYPRUS, GREECE and Turkey could form an “eastern Mediterranean union” that would realise “great potential” in the region – if there was a solution to the Cyprus problem, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said yesterday.
“This is Turkey’s vision,” Gul said, but added that it would only materialise if a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem was found first.
The newly-elected Turkish president was speaking as guest of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in north Nicosia, having arrived from Ankara earlier in the day for a two-day visit to the island. It is his first trip abroad since becoming president on August 21. The Cypriot government has condemned the visit, describing it as “illegal and provocative”.
Gul, however, insisted yesterday Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots continued to be strongly in favour of a solution to the Cyprus problem.
“Turkish Cypriots and Turkey have proved there sincere wishes for peace. The whole world knows this, the EU and the UN knows this,” he said, referring to the Turkish Cypriot community’s backing of the UN’s Annan plan in 2004.
He conceded, however, that things “have moved on” since the Annan plan referendum, and that the plan would now serve merely “as a reference” for future negotiations.
Gul warned, however, that any new plan emerging from negotiations would need to “recognise the two realities” on the island, namely that there are “two democracies, two states, two languages and two religions”.
“It would be extremely difficult to find a solution without taking these into account,” he said.
The Turkish president also took the opportunity yesterday to respond to a comment made by President Tassos Papadopoulos last week that the Turkish military was “the only enemy” on Cyprus.
“The Turkish military brought peace to the island – and that goes for the south too,” he said, adding that the Turkish invasion had “allowed democracy to return” after former President Makarios had been forced to abandon the country in fear of his life. Describing the Turkish military as an enemy was a “groundless accusation”, he said.
Clearly pleased that Gul had chosen to make north Cyprus his first overseas destination as president, Talat thanked him for “giving the Turkish Cypriot people courage and strength”.
“Making his first visit here is a significant gesture. It shows his open support for our efforts for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem,” he added.
Asked whether the Turkish side was sticking to earlier pledges that it would be “one step ahead” in positive moves on the Cyprus issue, Talat said his proposal to Papadopoulos that the UN’s July 8 peace process be given a fixed timetable was an example of this “continuing policy”.
Gul, however, was more guarded saying that “unilateral steps don’t help without reciprocation”.
Gul has invited Talat to visit him in Ankara.
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