Eroglu alleged that agreement in Cyprus will remain for the second half of 2013, if it is not reached in the first quarter of 2012Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (18.11.11) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has reiterated the allegation that the Greek Cypriot side tries to waste the Turkish Cypriots’ time at the negotiating table and that is why the efforts of the Turkish side towards reaching an agreement had no result.

In statements yesterday at his office during a meeting with foreign journalists, who visited the occupied area of Cyprus on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence of the breakaway regime, Eroglu expressed the view that they could achieve progress with President Christofias until the meeting with the UN Secretary-General in January 2012.

Eroglu said that the Republic of Cyprus will overtake the EU term presidency in July 2012 and that presidential elections will be held in Cyprus in 2013. He added that if an agreement [on the Cyprus problem] is not reached in the first quarter of 2012, the issue will remain for the second half of 2013, something which they do not want.

Replying to a question on the issue of the explorations for oil and natural gas, Eroglu recalled that before the Republic of Cyprus started its explorations, the Turkish side asked from the UN Secretary-General to launch an initiative for the postponement of these explorations. He added that after the Republic of Cyprus had not stopped its explorations, the Turkish Cypriots signed an “agreement” with Turkey and gave the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) the authority to conduct explorations. He said that this issue showed once more that finding an urgent solution to the Cyprus problem is necessary.

Asked whether this issue could cause a military problem, Eroglu noted that he does not expect such a development and alleged that they signed the above-mentioned agreement to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. “We have no intention of war. As long they do not touch us”, he added.

Responding to a question regarding the presence of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus, Eroglu said the presence of the Turkish army will continue until an agreement is reached and added that after the agreement the number of the troops could be reduced in time.

Eroglu said that the Greek Cypriot side wants the continuation of the presence of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force (UNFICYP) on the island, because withdrawal of the UN would be tantamount to the end of the negotiations.

Eroglu alleged that problems will be created when the Republic of Cyprus overtakes the EU term presidency in 2012. He recalled that Turkey will freeze its relations with the EU and argued that holding negotiations in these circumstances would be meaningless.

Eroglu reiterated his view that the tripartite meeting, to be held in January 2012, should be the last point and recalled that the UN Secretary-General described it as “end game”.

Noting that very good work should be conducted before this summit, Eroglu said that the sides should exhibit a reconciliatory stance and added that he could not say that a hundred per cent agreement will be reached here, but both the UN Secretary-General and the EU “have many duties” on this issue.

Eroglu claimed that it would be difficult for the Greek Cypriot side to feel the need for an agreement in case the decision of the EU to allegedly impose “embargoes” on the Turkish Cypriots continue, and the UN Security Council resolution regarding the non-recognition of the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus remains valid. Eroglu alleged that these two institutions should motivate the Greek Cypriots for an agreement.

Asked by an Egyptian journalist whether he is satisfied with the support of the 58 Islamic countries towards the breakaway regime, Eroglu said that they wanted Egypt to change its policy and added: “There was a revolution, new administration came, but their policy did not change”.

Noting that they do not enjoy the support they want from the Islamic countries, Eroglu argued that they face difficulties even when they pass decisions in favour of the “TRNC” at the Organization of Islamic Development. “We will be very at ease, if the 58 Islamic countries support us”, he added.

Asked whether he would abandon the negotiating table if the summit in January 2012 ended negatively, Eroglu alleged that their aim was for the 43-year long negotiations to reach a result and added that if no agreement is reached at the above-mentioned summit, this would be tantamount to the recommencement of the negotiations in the second half of 2013.

Eroglu said that before responding to a question as to whether what will happen if there is not agreement, they will evaluate the situation in case the UN Secretary-General says that agreement will not be reached. “As you see, we have a state”, he added.

Referring to the content of the negotiations, Eroglu alleged that President Christofias creates problems on the property and the territory issues, ignores the past 37 years and still “dreams” of returning to the pre-1974 period. Eroglu argued that many things happened since then, and a separate socioeconomic structure was created in the occupied northern part of Cyprus.

Eroglu alleged that the EU and the world do not treat the Turkish Cypriots fairly.