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10 May 2003
Source: Cyprus Mail
Author:
President slam’s Erdogan’s ‘two state’ message
PRESIDENT
Tassos Papadopoulos yesterday rejected Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s statement that there were two separate states in
Cyprus.
Papadopoulos said Erdogan’s visit to the north was an illegal act
“that comes from the political leader of a country which invaded and
still occupies illegally and with the use of force a great part of the
Republic of Cyprus whose independence, territorial integrity and
security it had guaranteed in 1960”.
“If Mr. Erdogan supports a just and viable solution to the Cyprus
problem, as well as the good offices mission of the Secretary-general
just as he claimed during his departure from Turkey, he can turn his
general declaration into a specific political action, persuading Mr
Denktash to come forward to substantial negotiations, accepting the
Annan plan as a basis for negotiations,” Papadopoulos said.
The President repeated the Greek Cypriot side’s willingness to
return to the negotiating table for substantial talks under UN auspices
based on the plan drawn up by UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan.
Papadopoulos reiterated the willingness and readiness of the Greek
Cypriot side for “direct and substantial talks under the UN auspices,
based on the Annan plan, to find a solution based on the relevant UN
decisions”
“Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have actually shown and with
their attitude proved in the last days that the common vision of a
reunited country unites them,” Papadopoulos said.
“The two communities can and should live together in peace, through
a reunited country and a single state, within the framework of a
bizonal, bicommunal federation. However, the recent ease in the
restrictions in the freedom of movement of citizens, imposed by the
Turkish side since 1974, and the pursuit of measures of good
neighbourliness cannot be considered nor do they constitute a solution
to the Cyprus problem.”
He said the Turkish side’s approach clashed with high-level
agreements and Security Council resolutions.
“The experience of all these years proves the international
community neither accepts nor can accept the existence and recognition
of two sovereign states on the island,” Papadopoulos said, adding that
it was this insistence by the Turkish Cypriot side that had led to its
exclusion from the EU acquis and prevented a reunited island joining the
bloc.
“It was Cyprus’ accession prospect that led the UN to intensify
efforts for an overall settlement, with the approval of all, including
Mr Denktash,” Papadopoulos said.
“I hope that these fundamental principles will be acknowledged as
corresponding to today’s realities, and that from this acknowledgement
any developments leading to a just, viable and functional solution to
the Cyprus problem will be determined.”"
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