“The Greek Cypriot leader has turned back from a big mistake”
Foreign Minister Özdil Nami participated via telephone in BRT’s “Günün Özeti” (Daily Brief) program to assess the statements of Special Advisor Eide. Nami stated that the Greek Cypriot leader will have turned back from a big mistake by returning to the negotiation table without any preconditions.
Indicating that there has not been any change in the approach of the Turkish Cypriot side, Foreign Minister Özdil Nami stated “It is understood that Anastasiades will return to the negotiation table without placing any preconditions. This is welcomed. If only all these months had not been wasted. Anastasiades has made Cyprus waste all this time for no good reason”.
Nami pointed out that the Greek Cypriot leader should never leave the negotiation table and recalled that the Turkish Cypriot side has made repeated statements to the effect that the Greek Cypriot leader should return to the negotiation table without any preconditions.
Minister Nami expressed his hope that once the Greek Cypriot leader returns to the table, the negotiations will continue in the form of a result-oriented, speedy and structured process which respects formerly reached convergences.
Assessing the statement of Eide that “I had 24 predecessors. I believe I will be the last person in this position”, Nami expressed his hope in this regard and indicated that this is also the wish of the Turkish Cypriot side.
Nami added that the UN has also used similar expressions in the past.
Nami stated “We would like to see actual words on documents rather than statements to the press. A final goal should be placed on the table and we should progress in a disciplined manner. This issue cannot go on forever. I hope that the words of the UN spoken through microphones will be reflected on the negotiation table”.
Minister Nami emphasized the importance of the statement of the Greek Cypriot leader to the effect that he will return to the negotiation table without any precondition and that the negotiations will therefore recommence.
Pointing to the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side is prepared to continue intensified negotiations, Nami stated that the Cyprus issue has entered a critical stage and that the world wants the Cyprus issue to finally find an end.