Eroglu and Bagis comment on the resignation of the cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (29.07.11) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and the Turkish EU Minister and Chief negotiator, Egemen Bagis commented yesterday on the resignation of the members of the cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus.

Responding to a question during a meeting with a delegation from the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Bagis recalled that after the incidents during a basketball game between the teams of Greek Cypriot APOEL and Turkish Karsiyaka he had said that those who could not stop “2000 fanatics who attacked five players could not be a state” and added that they could not even be a tribe. He reminded that during his illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus last week the Turkish Prime Minister had alleged that the state of the Republic of Cyprus does not exist and that only “the Greek Cypriot Administration and the TRNC exist”.

Bagis alleged that Turkey hopes the negotiations to end successfully with the establishment of a single administration created by two founding states based on the political equality of the two communities. “If this happens, fine, if it does not happen, Cyprus will lose. Turkey will continue going forward”, he argued.

Meanwhile, in statements during one of his meetings yesterday, Eroglu said that the resignation of the cabinet of the Republic of Cyprus should not influence the negotiations process, but after these developments President Christofias “will not be a very relaxed negotiator”. Eroglu argued that President Christofias’ “headache” will continue and wondered how concentrated President Christofias could be on the negotiations.

Turkish Cypriot politicians comment on the resignation of the cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus

Under the title “Will it influence the negotiations?” Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (29.07.11) reports that Turkish Cypriot politicians commented yesterday on the resignation of the members of the cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus. In statements to Haberdar the politicians expressed the opinion that this development will influence the negotiations and argued that President Christofias will act more hesitantly.

Irsen Kucuk, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, said that they expect this resignation not to negatively influence the intensified negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and not to cause “a waste of time”. He claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side continues to search for an agreement by the end of the year and expects from the Greek Cypriot side to exhibit a “realistic will for a solution” and referendum in the first half of 2012.

Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that his impression is that President Christofias asked the resignation of his Ministers in order to create a new balance between the coalition partners. Yorgancioglu expressed the view that this development will not influence the Turkish Cypriot community, but said he worries that it could influence the Cyprus negotiations, because President Christofias could become more hesitant. “I worry that he will remain more passive under the pressures exerted on him”, he noted.

Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP), said that the resignations were a normal development after the incidents that happened recently and argued that the Greek Cypriot side could overcome its problems by cooperating with Turkey. Arguing that the Greek Cypriots should use this opportunity, Denktas expressed the view that the resignations will not influence the occupied area of Cyprus.

Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that so many scandals happened in the occupied area of Cyprus and no “government” resigned. He noted that the stance of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus was “honourable”, because “a state exists there”. He said that the Turkish Cypriots should take this stance as example. “There is a government which does not resign here?As if dictatorship exists”, he added.

Turgay Avci, chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), said that the recent developments in the government-controlled area of Cyprus might speed up the solution on the island. “That is, the recent developments will either cause the definite non-solution or the solution will be produced in the next year”, he argued. He alleged that if President Christofias’ stance prevents the developments, no solution will be reached and it will be inevitable for the “Turkish Cypriot state” to continue its own way. He expressed the belief that “a serious step” will be taken in this direction as of the middle of 2012.