Recognize the TRNC, former president Derviş Eroğlu tells EU and UN

TRNC former president, Derviş Eroğlu has called on the European Union, the United Nations, and other related countries to accept the existence of two states in the island and recognize the TRNC.

Eroğlu make the call in a written statement on Sunday evaluating the upcoming Geneva meeting.

Stating that all former presidents including himself worked towards finding a federal solution despite the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigence and excessive demands, he said it emerged that a federal solution was not possible during the meetings held in Crans Montana.

We cannot imprison ourselves to federal negotiations for another 50 years just because it serves the purpose of some leading countries in the world. We should immediately start working with Turkey for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus if no result could be obtained in Geneva, Eroğlu said.

Evaluating the upcoming 5+UN informal meeting on the Cyprus issue to be held between the 27th and 29th of April in Geneva, he said “as I stated before, the Greek Cypriot side once again rejected a solution in Crans Montana. The Greek Cypriots are actually rejecting any solution as they did during the Annan Plan and stated by Annan in his report to the UN Security Council on the 28th of May 2004.

They have a solution concept in their minds, and they will continue to reject any proposal not serving their purpose. They want a solution which the Turkish Army will be withdrawn from the island, Turkey’s guarantee will end and will pave the way for returning to the pre-1974 conditions. They will continue to cause any process to collapse if a solution model does not serve for these purposes. Eroğlu said.

I wish success to the delegations of the TRNC and Turkey in Geneva. They have our full support, he added.