Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami, who was in New York last week within the framework of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, evaluated his contacts to the Turkish Cypriot daily “Kıbrıs” and expressed the belief that the negotiation process would succeed.

Foreign Minister Nami stated that the negotiations might not start in October, because the Greek Cypriot side did not put forward a view towards the resumption of the negotiations from where they were left. Pointing out that it was not possible to respond positively to the Greek Cypriot side’s demands regarding active involvement of the EU in the negotiation process and the return of Maraş (Varosha), Foreign Minister Nami said, furthermore the Greek Cypriot side’s demand for an intensive preparation period before the start of the negotiations was unnecessary, as there was sufficient background as a result of 40 years long negotiation process.

Reminding that March 2014, would be the 50th anniversary of the UN’s involvement in the Cyprus problem, Foreign Minister Nami said: “First UN Security Council Resolution was adopted in March 1964. Now, we are approaching to March 2014, and everyone perceives this as an indication that it’s time for the Cyprus problem to be finalized”.

Explaining that there were some disagreements between the two sides and they had the opportunity to convey their views on eliminating them to the UN Secretary General in New York, Nami said: “Turkish Cypriot side requests the negotiations to reach a rapid result. For this, we believe that it is necessary to maintain the convergences achieved till today and to work on the remaining divergences by taking into consideration the existing convergences”.

Referring to Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades’ letter sent to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Foreign Minister Nami said, Mr. Anastasiades is mentioning the active involvement of the EU in the negotiations and is also talking about adding new elements that would change the rules of the game and by this way was making a reference to the return of Maraş to the Greek Cypriot side before a solution. Nami expressed the belief that such attempts would make the negotiation process difficult.

Stating that the Greek Cypriot side also mentioned opening the way of direct negotiations with Turkey by disregarding the Turkish Cypriot side, Nami said this is not going to happen. He also said it is not possible for the EU to sit at the negotiation table. Foreign Minister reminded that the Greek Cypriot side and Greece had full EU membership and right to vote, whereas the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey neither had the EU membership, nor the right to vote in the EU. Nami underlined that this unbalanced situation was in itself an impeding condition for a representative of the EU to sit at the negotiation table with increased powers.

Foreign Minister Nami noted that on the other hand, the sides which would carry out the negotiations were defined by the UN, as such the negotiations should be conducted between the two communities on the island under the supervision of the UN Secretary General.

Stressing that everyone was talking about result-oriented negotiations Nami said a work plan consistent with this was needed. He said both sides have been working on joint text to be announced by the leaders and if the text could be shaped by next week, this would be a welcomed positive development.

Emphasizing that solution of the Cyprus problem would bring important economic gains for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, Nami referred to; saving on military expenditures, maximum benefit from energy transmission lines, use of water to be transferred from Turkey for the benefit of the whole island. He also underlined that the added value that will be created in agriculture and tourism sectors henceforth for the whole island; new horizons to be opened in the maritime sector; investment climate, which will be created as a result of the country getting out of this extraordinary situation and becoming a normal EU member and said: “In other words, when we put all these together, it will be possible to talk about a much more prosperous Cyprus”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami evaluated his contacts in New York last week to the press.

Speaking to Turkish Cypriot daily Yenidüzen, Foreign Minister Nami stated that they had fruitful contacts during The New York Summit in terms of the solution of the Cyprus problem and added that: “Two sides are working on a joint text under the supervision of the United Nations for the resumption of the negotiations”.

Pointing out that the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was insistent on the resumption of the negotiations without further delay, Foreign Minister Nami said: “There are divergences between the two sides on how the negotiations will be resumed. In order to eliminate these divergences and prepare a joint text on this issue, works have been started under the supervision of the UN”.

Foreign Minister Nami added that the special representatives of the two sides had already started to work on a ‘joint text’ which they were aiming to complete by next week when the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor Alexander Downer would visit the island. Noting that the joint text would be announced by the two leaders, Özdil Nami underlined that there was an agreement on the resumption of the negotiations in October.

Referring to the divergences on how the negotiations would be resumed, Foreign Minister Nami said:

“Greek Cypriot side wants to take up the issues within the solution process together. It avoids giving a clear commitment with regard to the convergences reached until today. Greek Cypriot side is also against putting a certain time-frame for the negotiations and solution. On the other hand, the Turkish Cypriot side gives a clear commitment on the convergences reached to date. Furthermore, we are in favor of reaching an agreement on the existing convergences at first and then bringing all the issues to the table”.

Drawing attention to the fact that all political circles they met in New York were in favor of the resumption of the negotiations in October, Nami said these circles were also against open-ended negotiation process and insistently emphasized that there should be a time-frame in the negotiations.

Referring to the recent understanding of the UN to the effect that ‘it would be the last initiative for a final settlement’, Özdil Nami said: “We are entering into such a phase that somebody would pay for the lack of a solution. In other words, an open-ended negotiation process was out of question. Whoever prevents a solution would bear the consequences”.

“Leakage to the press of the Greek Cypriot leader’s letter sent to the UN Secretary General has created a serious discomfort”, said Nami, stressing that they also observed that there was dissatisfaction with regard to the content of the letter.

Explaining that particularly the request to include the EU in the negotiation process in Cyprus was not welcomed, Foreign Minister said also the issue of Maraş (Varosha), which the Greek Cypriot side made a big deal about, was not brought to the agenda in New York.

“The aim is the resumption of the negotiations in October and reaching a solution until 2014 spring”, said Foreign Minister Nami, noting that the United Nations requested all the related parties to focus on this aim. Nami added that during his contacts in New York, they once more saw that Turkey was very willing and determined on the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Also speaking to Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis, Foreign Minister Nami pointed out that the UN considered the next six-month period as a window of opportunity and would work intensively towards solving the Cyprus problem.

Stating that the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was continuing to show a close interest to Cyprus, Foreign Minister Nami said the Secretary General also conveyed his request for the two sides to overcome the difficulties for the resumption of the negotiations during the visit of Alexander Downer to the island.

Referring to the Secretary General’s expression that: “I cannot desire a solution more than Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. The responsibility  belongs to Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots”, Nami said this meant that it was the two peoples in the island who would solve the Cyprus problem.

In response to a question asked if a multi-lateral conference or a Burgenstock style summit were being considered, Foreign Minister Nami said current agenda was the resumption of the negotiations.

Foreign Minister Nami also stated that on the table, there was a new method of negotiations, envisaging less frequent meetings between the leaders and more between the special representatives.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami, who was in New York with the aim of carrying out contacts within the framework of the   68th Session of the UN General Assembly, as well as attending  the Annual Coordination  Meeting  of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation,  met with  Shamil Aleskerov, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, to which the TRNC was an observer member.

During the meeting, Nami   expressing  his desire to carry out active works within the organization and further  develop  existing relations with the Secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Organization and member states said, he wanted to make maximum  contribution  to the works of the  organization.

The TRNC obtained observer member status at the Economic Cooperation Organization Summit Meeting organized in Bakü, Azerbaijan last  year.

On the other hand, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nami   also came together with the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman at UN Headquarters last Friday (27.09.2013).

During the meeting, Nami exchanged views on the recent phase of the negotiation process and expressed the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side from the UN.

TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs  Özdil Nami, who is currently in New York in order to attend the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Yearly Coordination Meeting within the framework of 68th session of the UN General Assembly, came together with Qatar Foreign Minister Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al-Altiyah.

In the meeting Nami and Al-Altiyah exchanged views regarding the development of relations and cooperation in every field between the two countries.

Nami expressed his pleasure to Al-Altiyah due to their support and solidarity.

Nami also had interviews with ‘The Forward’ and ‘International Business Times’ newspapers which are published in Washington.

Moreover Foreign Minister Nami met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Eric Rubin and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous separately and had an exchange of views regarding the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. Nami also conveyed once again the Turkish Cypriot side’s desire and determination for launching the negotiations as soon as possible.

Besides his meetings, Nami attended the reception which was given by Ambassador of Turkey to Washington Namık Tan in the honor of the President of Turkey Abdullah Gül.

Foreign Minister Nami and President Eroglu also visited the ‘National September 11 Memorial and Museum’, ‘Survivor Tree’ and ‘Freedom Tower’ which are located at the place where the former Twin Towers were.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami, who is currently in New York with the aim of carrying out contacts within the framework of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, met with Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Abdullah Al Qirbi yesterday (25 September).

Foreign Minister Nami and Yemeni Foreign Minister Qirbi exchanged views during the meeting which took place at the Permanent Mission of Yemen to the United Nations.

Nami will continue to hold high-level contacts during his stay in New York.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami referring to the new Greek Cypriot scenarios which envisaged giving political rights to Turkish Cypriots in exchange of territory, stressed that Turkish Cypriots already had vested political rights, thus these rights could not be matter of negotiation.

Speaking to Cyprus Turkish News Agency (TAK) on Friday (20 September) about the negotiation process, Foreign Minister Nami stated that the Greek Cypriot side’s statements to the effect that all issues were open to discussion, could have a negative effect on the negotiations. Nami pointed out that convergences and the phase where the negotiations were left should be identified for the two sides to continue with the negotiations.

Reminding that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis won the elections by criticizing the former leader Christofias, Özdil Nami said what were said during the election period should be left behind and the existing convergences should be maintained.

Underlining that the United Nations also had an important role in respect to the resumption of the negotiations from where they were left, Foreign Minister Nami said both the Turkish Cypriot people and the Greek Cypriot people should encourage their leaders towards resuming the negotiations as soon as possible.

Stating that the issue of Maraş (Varosha) was part of a comprehensive settlement, Nami said Maraş could be discussed within the context of the territorial adjustment, for this reason, it should not be held separated from a comprehensive settlement.

Expressing his government’s desire to take an active role in the negotiation process and that they were in consultation with President Eroğlu, Foreign Minister Nami said, since they took office, he has been regularly coming together with President Eroğlu and exchanging views on the Cyprus issue.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami referring to the new Greek Cypriot scenarios which envisaged giving political rights to Turkish Cypriots in exchange of territory, stressed that Turkish Cypriots already had vested political rights, thus these rights could not be matter of negotiation.

Speaking to Cyprus Turkish News Agency (TAK) on Friday (20 September) about the negotiation process, Foreign Minister Nami stated that the Greek Cypriot side’s statements to the effect that all issues were open to discussion, could have a negative effect on the negotiations. Nami pointed out that convergences and the phase where the negotiations were left should be identified for the two sides to continue with the negotiations.

Reminding that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis won the elections by criticizing the former leader Christofias, Özdil Nami said what were said during the election period should be left behind and the existing convergences should be maintained.

Underlining that the United Nations also had an important role in respect to the resumption of the negotiations from where they were left, Foreign Minister Nami said both the Turkish Cypriot people and the Greek Cypriot people should encourage their leaders towards resuming the negotiations as soon as possible.

Stating that the issue of Maraş (Varosha) was part of a comprehensive settlement, Nami said Maraş could be discussed within the context of the territorial adjustment, for this reason, it should not be held separated from a comprehensive settlement.

Expressing his government’s desire to take an active role in the negotiation process and that they were in consultation with President Eroğlu, Foreign Minister Nami said, since they took office, he has been regularly coming together with President Eroğlu and exchanging views on the Cyprus issue.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Özdil Nami will go to New York with President Derviş Eroğlu and his accompanying delegation in order to attend the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly. The delegation will leave the TRNC on Sunday (22 September).

President Eroğlu and Foreign Minister Nami will hold contacts with officials from the UN, from various countries and international organizations.

The Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis will also be in New York next week.