The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said we have sincerity, if Greek Cypriot side also has this, we can sort out the Cyprus negotiation this year. Speaking at a meeting at the İzmir Chamber of Commerce, Çavuşoğlu stated that the problems between Greece and Turkey are not in a position that can’t be solved. He also mentioned that they have made a lot of improvements regarding the Aegean islands and said: “If we took a step towards these issues, ninety percent of Turkish citizens would be satisfied, but unfortunately it is not the same in Greece and Cyprus. The atmosphere is more different in Greece. We showed a sincere effort by solving problems. We also have sincerity about the Cyprus issue, if the Greek Cypriot side also has this, we can sort out the Cyprus negotiation this year.”
Çavuşoğlu reminded that while the negotiations were going on well, the Greek Cypriot side started drilling work unilaterally and also they withdrew from the negotiations after Turkey sent its Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa seismic vessel to the island. He said: “What is the duty of the Greek Cypriot negotiator? To focus on solving or reaching convergences on all the outstanding issues such as territory or the closed city of Maraş with a win-win formula. There are already convergences in the process. This is trying to shift the agenda elsewhere. Whenever things start going in the right direction Greek Cypriot side try and throw the ball somewhere else. This opportunity shouldn’t be wasted.”
The Turkish Foreign Minister also said that Turkey will not give up her guarantor rights unless it was the wish of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Çavuşoğlu also called out to the Greek Cypriot Administration to stop creating false agendas and to focus on achieving a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.