Turkish Foreign Minister: "IF the Greek Cypriot side is sincere ...we will resolve 'this problem' THIS YEAR”

Turkey’s guarantees will continue as long as the Turkish Cypriots want, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said.

Speaking at a meeting at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Cavusoglu referred to the issue of guarantees, adding that there is a strong consensus both in Turkey and the TRNC. He also said: “We are sincere, if the Greek Cypriot side is sincere too, then we will resolve this problem within this year”.

He further 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 fenced off city of Varosha with a win-win formula. There are already convergences in the process. What is this? This is trying to shift the agenda elsewhere. Why are you throwing the ball somewhere else instead of negotiating the technical issues? Whenever things start going in the right direction they try and throw the ball somewhere else. This opportunity should not be wasted”.

Cavusoglu stressed that Turkey will not give up its guarantor rights unless the Turkish Cypriot people wish it and added: “We are in Cyprus as guarantors. They need to feel secure. We are not the ones responsible for the stage we have reached today. Let us not go back to the past and dwell on what was done against the Turkish Cypriot people”.

Credit: Kibris Gazetesi