Tuesday, 17 November 2009
It is usual and natural that in every anniversary of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), officials in Turkey make speeches which express their ‘celebration’ because of the independence declaration of TRNC. Some government ministers make visits to North Cyprus as Turkish State Minister and Deputy Premier Cemil Cicek did this year as the representative of Republic of Turkey. On the other hand, another traditional thing that Turkey’s government officials do in the TRNC anniversary is to attend the reception given by the Embassy of the TRNC in Ankara (only Embassy of the TRNC, others are just representative offices some under the name of trade offices).
The traditional behaviors of Turkey government in TRNC anniversary did not change this year as well. But there was difference between the two Turkish Ministers’ speeches regarding time limitations of the negotiations in the island.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, in the reception organized by Embassy of the TRNC in Ankara for the 26th Anniversary of TRNC, stated that Turkey is still keeping its full support for the negotiation process about the Cyprus problem. Minister Davutoglu said that finishing date (deadline) of the negotiations for Turkey is the time when peace is reached but the settlement should be done as soon as possible.
On the other hand, Turkish State Minister and Deputy Premier Cicek made speech in TRNC on 15 November, TRNC’s foundation date. There were some differences in the speeches between two Turkish ministers, Cicek and Davutoglu. Cicek said that ‘settlement negotiations could not go on infinitely and the existing window of opportunity would not be there forever. He said everybody should well understand that Turkish Cypriots would not give up their rights and Turkey would not put aside its rights and responsibilities as a Guarantor state. Cicek called on parties not to sacrifice another opportunity to intransigence.’ According to Davutoglu, negations can only get finished when related parties reach to solution but Cicek expresses that the negotiation process can not continue until infinity.
European Council affirmed the decisions taken by General Affairs and External Relations Council on 11 December 2006 and decided that “chapters shall not be opened and none of the chapters shall be closed temporarily until confirming the commitments relating to Additional Protocol of Turkey” and the attention of Turkey-EU relations have been turned to December 2009 Summit decisions which will be a historical date for the Turkey’s EU membership.
By Atif Muezzinler (JTW)
