TURKISH President Abdullah Gul said yesterday that a political settlement in Cyprus must be based on what he called “the realities on the island”, adding that Ankara is committed to a solution.
Addressing the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PA) in Strasbourg, Gul made no reference to his vision of “two democracies, two states and two religions” in Cyprus, remarks which the CoE Secretary-General Terry Davis has described as “unfortunate”.
In his remarks on Cyprus, Gul reiterated his long-standing view that an opportunity for a solution was missed in April 2004 when the Greek Cypriots rejected a UN-proposed solution plan .
“Nevertheless, Turkey remains fully committed to a political settlement: A settlement which will ensure the reunification of the island under the auspices of the good-offices mission of the UN Secretary-General, based on the long established UN parameters,” the Turkish President said.
He described the presence of two representatives of the Turkish Cypriots at the Assembly as “a modest but meaningful step in helping to ease the political isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.”
Meanwhile, visiting Members of the European Parliament Transport Committee, yesterday sent a message to Turkey that it must open its ports and airports to the Republic of Cyprus.
“It is clear that Turkey has to obey the treaties they have signed to open their ports and airports for the use by Cyprus and Cyprus-run companies,” head of the delegation, German MEP of the European People’s Party Georg Jarzembowski said.
He added that on their return to Brussels, the MEPs would seek a meeting with Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, from whom they would request that the Commission insists that Turkey must lift the restrictions it is imposing against the Republic of Cyprus.
“It is not possible that a country like Turkey wants to become a member of the EU and is negotiating with the EU for its membership but does not allow ships and airplanes from one of the 27 member states to enter its territories and even violates the agreement it has signed to open the airports and ports. This is very important,” he said, adding that “when we go back we will talk to Commissioner Rehn again that within the negotiation of Turkey he will have to insist that these bans of the Turkish authorities on airports and ports have to be lifted.”
(CNA)
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