Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Ergun Olgun: ...a referendum on Cyprob solution by the end of 2015

A statement issued by Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Ergun Olgun following a meeting with UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide said that the Turkish Cypriot side hopes to hold a referendum by the end of 2015.

Olgun argued that there is an urgent need for a solution because of the situation on the island and the surrounding region. He added that this is valid for the Greek Cypriot side as well and both sides should pull together to reach that target.

Olgun said that the Turkish Cypriot side agrees with Eide’s statement that 2015 will be a critical year and added that the date of the resumption of the talks depends on how prepared the next president of the TRNC will be. Noting that some candidates are more prepared than others, Olgun said that the date is flexible and that this will be determined according to the results of the elections. “There will be a period during which the person who will be elected and his team will sit and prepare themselves”, he added, pointing out that Eide will undertake an initiative in this direction after the 19th April election, to determine a date to resume the talks, with the agreement of both sides.

Commenting on the criticisms of Eide by the Greek Cypriot side because of some of his statements, Olgun said that Eide has undertaken the role to facilitate the achievement of a bi-zonal, federal partnership and that the necessary conditions should be created for this. He argued that this is a process which could advance by protecting the rights of both sides.

He added: “And there is a responsibility given to Eide for this. It is not right to criticise him because he is doing this. How will we prepare for the future if we look at the issues unilaterally? The preparation for the future could happen with political equality. I believe that those who criticise Eide for this reason are circles which are trying to protect the status quo”.

*Kibris Gazetesi