Illegal Bayrak television (09.04.14) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Kudret Ozersay told the Russia Today Program that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to receive technical assistance from the European Union on certain issues that are discussed at the Cyprus negotiations process but cannot accept a role being given to the European Union at the talks.

Ozersay said that both sides needed to show flexibility in order to reach an agreement otherwise a just and permanent solution cannot be found.

He said that if a solution isn’t balanced it won’t be permanent. He added that therefore the Turkish Cypriot side cannot accept any more than it had already. “The Turkish Cypriot side had asked for cooperation to take place on economy, trade, tourism, energy and water issues in order to motivate the Greek Cypriot side towards a solution” said Ozersay and added that once cooperation is held on some issues and the benefits become clear then the trust between the two sides will also improve.

Ozersay also alleged the following: “This is why we want cooperation to be carried out parallel to the Cyprus negotiations process. But the Turkish Cypriot side which has been putting forward its position at the Cyprus negotiations table for years now cannot make any concessions purely for the sole purpose of encouraging the Greek Cypriot side towards a solution. ”

Upon being asked about the European Union taking on a more active role during the talks, Ozersay said that due to the Greek Cypriot side becoming a unilateral member of the EU it cannot be neutral.

“No matter how unbiased the EU wants to be this is not really possible. Receiving technical support from the EU during the talks is fine as technical support is enough for us. But the EU being given a more active role is unacceptable” said the Turkish Cypriot Negotiator.