Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.04.14) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has commented on US Ambassador Koenig’s statements that the occupied fenced off city of Varosha will “open step by step” and argued that “the Americans are dreaming”. Replying to questions of Cihan news agency in the Turkish city of Corum, Talat claimed: “Honestly, I think that the Americans have attitudinized. They will create a positive climate by securing the opening of Varosha, they will create enthusiasm. They will motivate the Greek Cypriots for a solution. And in a possible agreement the Cypriots will say yes with this enthusiasm…”
He argued that some countries, including the USA, have such a dream, but the real situation is not like this. “Varosha is an issue related to the solution of the Cyprus problem”, he claimed and added that what is true is that any measure should be aiming at creating confidence.

He added, inter alia, the following: “And this means that the two sides should understand each other, establish dialogue with each other, and create a culture of peace. And what should be done for this is actually known. Instead of pursuing arrangements such as giving Varosha, opening Morfou, starting appointing a Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister in the government, that is, in the Republic of Cyprus, the right thing to do is supporting the establishment of a dialogue between the two communities. That is the communities’ learning each other’s language, learning to cooperate together, being able to prepare common television programs, being able to establish common universities, that is shortly, without changing, without influencing their positions on the Cyprus problem, the sides should enter into a dialogue with each other and understand each other”.

Evaluating the statements by the US Ambassador to Nicosia that the Greek Cypriots should hold meetings with Turkey from now on the issue of transferring natural gas to the EU, Talat argued: “Was his statement on this issue in the above manner? I do not know that, but it is not possible for the Greek Cypriots to meet with Turkey in conditions in which the Turkish Cypriots are absent. Turkey recognizes the TRNC and it recognizes the Republic of Cyprus as South Cyprus Greek Administration. Therefore, it is not possible for the Republic of Turkey to meet with the Greek Cypriot authorities as Republic of Cyprus without the TRNC authorities. This reality will not change, regardless of who says this, the USA Ambassador or the Ambassador of another country or the head of state of another country”.