Eroglu said that no point was left without been discussed and negotiated as in the Cyprus talks

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (18.10.11) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stated that no point was left without been discussed and negotiated as regards the Cyprus problem. He also said that each side in Cyprus “knows by heart” what the other side says.

Eroglu made these statements yesterday in a speech he delivered at the Canakkale (Dardanelles) 18 March University where he has been decorated with the “Honorary International Relations Doctorate” by the University. The title of Eroglu’s speech was “Cyprus negotiations from yesterday to today”.

Eroglu stated that the time for the solution of the Cyprus problem has come and said that the solution must be just and viable. He added that this solution will protect the rights of Turkey and of the Turkish Cypriots. He claimed that the solution is possible with the establishment of a new partnership state.

Referring to the forthcoming tripartite meeting with President Demetris Christofias and the UN Secretary General-Ban Ki-moon in New York at the end of October, Eroglu expressed the hope for this to be the last meeting. “The basic question is what is going to happen in case we return from New York without achieving the desired concrete progress”, he stated and alleged that the Turkish side is negotiating with good will and is doing all it can towards reaching a solution on the island. However, he said, we cannot ignore the possibility of the negotiations not having a successful ending.

He went on and stated that the Turkish Cypriots have to maintain their political and economic strength regardless of whether a solution is reached or not. He also alleged that the “TRNC”, as he called the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, together with “motherland” Turkey, are two of the most democratic Muslim “countries”. He stated that he does not see the “democratic state” of the Turkish Cypriots as an obstacle for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The Turkish Cypriot leader also said that the Cyprus problem is influenced not only from the situation in Cyprus but also from the international developments. He said that they are aware of the importance of Cyprus as it is described in the “Strategic depth” concept of the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Finally, referring to the conducting of oil drilling by the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu claimed that these actions damage the negotiation progress and alleged that he informed President Christofias on the issue but, as he alleged, President Christofias took these warnings as a threat.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (18.10.11) broadcast that Eroglu has held telephone conservation with the UN Secretary-General. During this conversation, Eroglu has reportedly told Ban Ki-moon that the Turkish Cypriots have no more time left for a solution on the island. He noted that the efforts for finding a solution should end either in a positive or in a negative manner.