Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (23.11.11) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, who is holding contacts in Brussels, asked the EU to encourage the Greek Cypriot side to move toward a Cyprus settlement.

Eroglu, who is accompanied by his special adviser Kudret Ozersay, his 2nd secretary Guner Onar, EU Coordination Centre head Erhan Ercin and the representative of the breakaway regime in Brussels Ahmet Erdengiz, met separately on Tuesday with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule. He briefed them on the views of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the New York summit.

Replying to questions from foreign and Turkish journalist after completing his contacts with European Commission officials, Eroglu said that in case there is no agreement with the Greek Cypriot side at the 5th summit in New York in January, then they will try to solve the problem through a multiparty conference with the participation of the guarantor countries. He added that in case that a Cyprus settlement is not reached even at the five-party conference, then the UN Secretary-General should state in a report whether or not the Cyprus problem will be solved and to outline his view on the UN’s mission in the country. Eroglu also explained that he thinks that after the summit in January the UN Secretary-General will set a deadline to the peace talks, adding that the last date is June. Claiming that there is no road map after June 2012, Eroglu argued that he does not want negotiations to go on without end.

Eroglu said that during his meetings with Barrosso and Fule, he explained to them the importance of the tripartite meeting that was held in New York with the UNSG. He said that he discussed with them the issue of an agreement being made EU primary law so that any derogation is made permanent. He explained that under this framework, the Turkish Cypriot side submitted to its interlocutor proposals.

Eroglu claimed that Cyprus’ search for natural gas in combination with Cyprus’ assumption of the EU presidency in July 2012 and the fact that the Greek Cypriot sector (as Eroglu refers to the Republic of Cyprus) is an EU member conspire to reduce the will of the Greek Cypriot side for a settlement. He called on both the UN and the EU officials to encourage the Greek Cypriot side to reach an agreement.

Eroglu argued that the cooperation between Greek Cypriot side and Israel will bring the region’s problems in the island, adding: “The Middle East has many problems bigger than the ones we have. If these problems come to the island, we cannot reach any solution”.

Within the framework of his contacts in Brussels, Eroglu also met with the leader of Socialist and Democrat Group Martin Schults.

The paper also reports that Eroglu gave an interview yesterday to some European journalists at Conrad hotel. After completing his contacts in Brussels, he will return tonight to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.