Cakici argues that occupied fenced Varosha is the key for Turkey’s EU accession course

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (01.09.11) reports that Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), has argued that soon we will witness the opening of the occupied fenced city of Varosha. In statements to Halkin Sesi, Cakici said that the opening of Varosha is the key needed for Turkey to continue its course towards the EU and its accession negotiations.

Cakici noted that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has been saying for years that he would not give even an inch of land to the Greek Cypriots, but changed his stance when he was elected to the leadership of his community. Recalling that, when he was going to Geneva, Eroglu had said that he was ready to discuss the territory issue, Cakici wondered: “If Eroglu will discuss the territory, has he suggested the buffer zone to the Greek Cypriots?”

Cakici said that Turkey has also approved the discussion of the territory at the negotiations and noted that Varosha is used as trump card for finding a comprehensive solution at the negotiations.

Referring to Prime Minister Erdogan’s statement that Turkey will not return occupied Morfou and Varosha to the Greek Cypriots, Cakici argued that this was a reaction to the explorations for oil and natural gas by the Republic of Cyprus.

Cakici said that the economic cooperation between Turkey and the EU exceeds 100 billion US dollars and added that it is not possible for Turkey to interrupt its relations with the EU. “As long as Turkey continues its course towards the EU, it will pursue solution policies here”, argued Cakici.

Referring to the economic situation in the occupied area of Cyprus, Cakici said that there is a serious recession in the trade of the regime with Turkey and the world and added that many businesses in occupied Cyprus close up. He noted that one in every three young persons in the occupied area of Cyprus is unemployed and argued that the Turkish Cypriots are getting poorer.

Cakici said that the image that exists in Turkey for the Turkish Cypriots is that they “eat the money of the people of Anatolia” and argued that this image was created by the National Unity Party (UBP) “government”.

Referring to the issue of the white and green “identity cards”, Cakici said that the UBP “government” tries to destroy the culture of the Turkish Cypriots with this practice. Cakici noted that some organizations in the occupied area of Cyprus are given away to some firms from Turkey and argued that this situation shows lack of political will and that all decisions are taken by Ankara.

Cakici said that all the political parties, trade unions, producers and economic organizations in the occupied area of Cyprus should come together and stop the UBP “government” as soon as possible. He noted that they will follow policies such as general strikes to achieve their goal and added that early “elections” will be held in the occupied area.