Eroglu on the Cyprus problem and the so-called presidential elections; He called President Anastasiades to withdraw recent statements
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.12.14) reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has stated that a system change should be implemented after 2020 and suggested a “presidential system” for the “administration” of the “country”.
Stating that he is a candidate for the last time, Eroglu stressed that he does not want anything for himself, and that indeed, in the event of being re-elected, he proposes a move to a “presidential system” after this term is over.
Eroglu gave a New Year reception in honor of members of the press yesterday evening in the occupied part of Lefkosia.
Speaking during the reception, Eroglu expressed hopes that the New Year will bring happiness and health to the press community, to the “country”, to humanity, to “motherland Turkey”, and to all the world and noted that a year of intense and important contacts is coming to an end.
Eroglu stated that the Greek Cypriot side, which was brought to the table by showing good intentions and flexibility, was able to remain at the table for eight months, and that it left from the table on 7 October.
Pointing out that [Turkish] President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Cicek, and Deputy Prime Minister visited the occupied part of Cyprus” during the past year, Eroglu said: “We are continuing further with the Cyprus cause in full harmony with motherland Turkey.”
Claiming that the Greek Cypriots, in a manner contrary to the vision set forth in the joint statement text, have continued in an insistent way to take unilateral decisions and actions with regard to the hydrocarbon resource in the vicinity of the island,Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side began hydrocarbon exploration in early October, in the number nine parcel contained in the exclusive economic zone that it unilaterally declared.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots are in consultation with the Republic of Turkey, has taken important steps on behalf of preserving their “rights” and justice, Eroglu stated that [the Greek Cypriots] left from the negotiating table on October 7 by using the pretext of the Hayrettin Pasa ship’s conducting petroleum exploration in the name of the “TRNC”.
(…) Supporting that rights and justice need to be defended properly and in harmony with “motherland Turkey”, Eroglu alleged that the period ahead will be difficult because of the uncompromising stance of the Greek Cypriot side.
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Eroglu stated also that the public wants an effort of progress in a sustained way to begin and added that there are things that need to be done in the areas of health, education, justice, the universities, and the environment.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (28.12.14-online in English) reported that Eroglu in a written statement said that President Anastasiades’ recent statements that he will never accept a partner which has tried to abolish the Cyprus Republic was “serious and worrying”, adding that he hoped that Anastasiades will give up from this type of stance.
Eroglu also expressed regret over the fact that Anastasiades was referring to the Turkish Cypriot side as the side which was trying to ‘abolish’ the Cyprus Republic and called on him to give up this rhetoric and follow a path aimed for in the joint statement.
