According to illegal Bayrak television (10.04.13), Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, speaking during a meeting with the Society of Kutahya War Veterans from Turkey who served in the 1974 Turkish invasion in Cyprus, claimed that the Greek Cypriot side continue to reportedly deny the reality that there are two separate states in Cyprus and perceive the Turkish Cypriots as stateless and vulnerable people. 

Eroglu said that the martyrs and war veterans has played an important role in the establishment of the breakaway regime which was born as a result of the joint struggle waged by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.

Explaining that “they learned how difficult it is to establish a state through experience”, Eroglu said that “the important thing was to uphold the state and not to concede gains at the negotiating table”.

Reminding that negotiations to reach a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus Problem have been continuing for years, Eroglu said that any solution to be reached will be an agreement that will safeguard the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots.

Noting that he had repeatedly told the Greek Cypriots that they should abandon the illusion that everything will go back to the way it was before 1974, Eroglu called on the Greek Cypriot side to acknowledge the “realities” on the island.

He also said that the Turkish Cypriot side supported the introduction of a timetable and deadlines to the negotiations process, a policy, he added that was supported by motherland Turkey.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (11.04.13) reports that the delegation was also accompanied by a MP of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) without giving any more details.

CNA