The statement made by the Greek Cypriot National Council has been examined.

It is observed that in terms of both substance and tone, the statement does not conform to the positive atmosphere created between the two peoples as a result of the process of the easing of border crossings which has been implemented upon the unilateral decision taken by the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. As such, it is seen that the Greek Cypriot administration has not been able to free itself from the errors of the past.

The real situation is as follows. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus through a sovereign decision has put into effect a new regulation pertaining to border crossings between the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus. The interpretation the Greek Cypriot National Council statement entails of this decision does not alter the current reality. By contrast the developments that have occurred in the wake of this decision have shown that the two peoples living under their own administration can establish good-neighbourly relations.

The Greek Cypriot administration is demanding that the III. Vienna Agreement be implemented and Varosha be handed over to it. As can be recalled, on 2 April 2003 the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus proposed to the Greek Cypriot administration a comprehensive package of confidence building measures, which included the transfer of the fenced area of Varosha for the purpose of resettlement in exchange for the lifting of the embargoes. However, this proposal was rejected by the Greek Cypriot side.

The Greek Cypriot National Council’s statement is in of itself full of contradictions. Thus, on the one hand, with respect to the Greek Cypriots living in the Karpaz region, the Greek Cypriot National Council brings its own interpretation to the III. Vienna Agreement; thereby confirming the acceptance, with all its consequences, of the Voluntary Exchange of Populations implemented in 1975 under the supervision of the United Nations. Yet, on the other hand, the Greek Cypriot side is claiming the right to return to former property.

Furthermore, the issue of missing persons which has been mentioned in the statement can best be resolved through the Committee on Missing Persons which was established by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. If the Greek Cypriot side permits the working of this Committee, the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to make all the effort for the speedy resolution of this issue.

As such, it is observed that the Greek Cypriot National Council, in order to start negotiations on a comprehensive settlement, is putting forward preconditions on issues which need to be resolved at the negotiating table, including the security aspect which is essentially part and parcel of a comprehensive settlement. It is clear that this attitude of the Greek Cypriot side will not contribute to the finding of a comprehensive settlement.

We believe that the two peoples of the island desire peace and reconciliation. With this understanding, the TRNC will continue to take steps which it deems to be in the common interest of the two peoples. We expect to see the same friendship and cooperation from the Greek Cypriot side. President Denktaş has clearly put forward his views pertaining to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus in the letters addressed to Mr. Papadopoulos on the 2nd and 4th of April. These views, however, have been rejected by the Greek Cypriot side