Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (09.01.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has alleged that during his term of duty, he exerts efforts for being constructive and for putting an end to the Cyprus problem with a peace agreement. Addressing the congress of the Democratic Party (DP) in the occupied part of Lefkosia yesterday, Eroglu argued that the process in the Cyprus negotiations is heading towards the end or the “end game”, as he said.

Eroglu claimed that the real and sincere wish of the Turkish side is for this “end game” to have a successful result and the issue to be settled at a multilateral conference with the participation of the guarantor powers as well.

Eroglu argued that the Turkish Cypriot side wants peace on the island more than the Greek Cypriot side wants it, because the Turkish Cypriots are allegedly those who are the victims and pay the price for the non-solution. “However, we could not abandon our rights and return to the pre-1974 period, because there will be a solution”, he added.

Eroglu reiterated the view of the Turkish side that the issues of equality, sovereignty, self-administration, bi-zonality, property, territory and citizenship should be addressed on the basis of the existing “realities” and that the active and effective guarantees of Turkey should continue to exist in a possible agreement in Cyprus, which, he argued, should become EU primary law.

Eroglu claimed that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not easy because of the “intransigence” of the Greek Cypriot side and recalled that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, “who had devoted all his political career to the solution of the Cyprus problem”, could not solve this problem, in spite of the steps he had taken, including the cross-voting that caused the reaction of the DP as well.

Eroglu said that the Cyprus problem is a national issue, which they address together with the Turkish government, the political parties and the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Eroglu thanked the DP for its support during the so-called presidential elections and the Cyprus talks.

Meanwhile, according to Gunes (09.01.12), Eroglu addressed also a seminar organized by the “sports writers’ association”. Eroglu said that during his contacts with EU officials he always raises the issue of the so-called embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots in the field of sports. He alleged that the Turkish side works hardly for an agreement in Cyprus, but this does not depend only on the Turkish Cypriots. He accused the Greek Cypriot side of not leaving any chance for give and take in the Cyprus talks. Referring to his forthcoming meeting with President Christofias in New York, he said that there are great expectations from the tripartite summit which will be held in Greentree between 22 and 24 January and added that it will be possible for them there to cover some ground or to see their future.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (09.01.12) reports that Eroglu and his spouse attended a dinner last night at the residence of DISY chairman, Nikos Anastasiades in Limassol. The paper covers the issue under the title “Clerides made a surprise” and argues that the participation of former President Glafkos Clerides in the dinner was a surprise.