Eroglu insists on permanent derogations and that the solution in Cyprus should become EU primary law

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (24.11.11) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Erogu has reiterated the view that the agreement which would be reached by the two sides in Cyprus should become primary law of the European Union and added that he conveyed this position to the European officials with whom he met during his visit in Brussels.

Eroglu completed his contacts in Brussels and returned to the occupied area of Cyprus last night.

In statements at the illegal Tymvou airport, Eroglu argued that the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barosso knows that some problems will be created when the Republic of Cyprus overtakes the presidency of the EU in 2012 without a solution on the island to be reached. Eroglu noted that he explained in details to Barosso the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side during the tripartite meeting with the UN Secretary-General in New York. Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot side insists that the agreement which will be reached in Cyprus should become EU’s primary law and the derogations should be permanent. He noted that this was his third meeting with Barosso and described their meeting as “very good”.

Moreover, Eroglu said that during his meeting with Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner responsible for the Enlargement, they discussed the same issues and some projects which are carried out in the occupied area of Cyprus with European funds. He noted that he also raised the issue of the obstacles allegedly put by the Greek Cypriot side to the Turkish Cypriot bus and truck drivers who want to cross over to the government-controlled area of the island.

Asked to comment on Turkish President Gul’s statement that a “half state will be presiding the EU” when the Republic of Cyprus overtakes the Union’s term presidency in 2012, Eroglu noted that similar statements have been made by the Turkish Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well. He recalled that Turkey has many times stated that it is annoyed by this issue and it would freeze its negotiations with the EU.

In Brussels, Eroglu met also with Martin Schulz, president of the Social Democrat Group at the European parliament, and Turkey’s ambassador and permanent representative in Brussels. He also gave an interview to Financial Times newspapers regarding the recent developments on the Cyprus problem.