Eroglu says their emphasis is on the Turkish Cypriots being saved from uncertainty Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.12.11) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has said that their emphasis during the Cyprus negotiations is on the Turkish Cypriots being saved from uncertainty and not to pay the price of the non-solution.

 In statements yesterday during a reception for the press on the occasion of the New Year, Eroglu referred to the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and replied to the criticism against him. Eroglu alleged that during the 20 months of his presence at the Turkish Cypriot leadership he tried to be constructive and to end the Cyprus problem with a peace agreement as soon as possible. Eroglu argued that they are heading towards a “last game”, or “end game”, as he said using the term in the English language. He alleged:

 “Our actual and sincere thought is to end this last game successfully and settle the issue by taking it to international conference. If the Greek Cypriot side is sincere, we are ready. We are actually putting emphasis on the Turkish Cypriot people being saved from uncertainty and the bill for the non-solution not to be issued on us. We wish for 2012 to be a year of peace?” Eroglu argued that historically the Cyprus problem is a national issue, which is taken up together with Turkey, the “government”, all parties and the “parliament”. He noted that they have established a “People’s Council” and an “Advisory Council”, which are very productive and continuously active. He also argued that his negotiating team prepares ideas very productively in order for the negotiations process to be held successfully. He pointed out to the importance of the economic development and stability not only for internal peace, but also for the Cyprus problem.

 Referring to economic issues, Eroglu underlined the necessity of signing a new economic “protocol’ with Turkey and added that during their international contacts, including with officials from Turkey, the economic development of the breakaway regime, the increase of the standard of living of the Turkish Cypriots and the upgrading of the quality of the services they enjoy is always on their agenda.