Ozyigit: Varosha must come onto the agenda before the solution and be returned to its legal owners
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.05.14) reports that Cemal Ozyigit, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), has said that the issue of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha must come onto the agenda without waiting for the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

In statements to illegal TAK news agency, Ozyigit noted: “Our expectation is for Varosha to be shaped in a way that will contribute to the economy of both sides by being returned to its legal owners and accordingly for the opening of the Famagusta Port to international trade and Tymvou airport for international flights”.

He recalled a provision of the High Level Agreements that Varosha could be discussed outside the comprehensive solution and added that the confidence building measures do not consist only of the above proposals, but more crossing points should be opened and the Green Line Regulation should be developed. Ozyigit went on and noted, however, that all these should not prevent the comprehensive solution.

Referring to the right of the illegal Turkish settlers to vote in a possible referendum, Ozyigit argued that the principles that had been implemented in the Annan Plan should be safeguarded and claimed that this is “a technical issue”.

Ozyigit described as “a positive ground” the joint statement agreed by the two leaders and expressed the view that the negotiations should be held on this ground. He noted that both leaders should submit more constructive and flexible proposals which will be taking into consideration the sensitivities of the other side.

Ozyigit said that they oppose to the view that all issues should be discussed in the negotiations arguing that there is no need for the agreed chapters to be re-opened and that only issues which have not been agreed should be negotiated.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot side has accepted the single sovereignty with the joint statement of the 11th of February, Ozyigit added that “watering this down afterwards and even putting forward two different sovereignties is not a sincere approach”.

Referring to the territory issue, Ozyigit said that a number of difficulties will be experienced when people are forced to leave the places where they have been living for 40 years, but on the other hand, these people have been experiencing problems due to uncertainty. “At least the arrangement to be made afterwards will be lasting”, he said adding that this arrangement will be according to the international law and there will be transitional periods as in the Annan Plan. “Our people will know that the property which they will acquire in the place they will go will be permanent now”, he noted.

Ozyigit claimed that the rotating presidency and the cross voting in the presidential elections are important in a possible government that will be established after the solution of the Cyprus problem.