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ERDOGAN: WE WILL NOT TAKE ANY STEP UNLESS ISOLATION OF N CYPRUS IS LIFTED
Anatolian Times, Turkey
July 5 2006
PARIS - "Turkey will not take any step about opening of its ports and
airports to Greek Cypriot traffic unless isolation of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is lifted," said Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.
In an interview with the French La Tribune daily, Erdogan said, "no
one can request us to take steps continuously while the other parties
do nothing. Although Turkish Cypriots supported the United Nations`
peace plan, they were punished. On the other hand, Greek Cypriots
who rejected the plan were awarded with EU membership. It is not fair."
"The only address of a likely solution on the island is the United
Nations. Also, embargoes imposed on the TRNC in the areas of economy,
trade, transportation, tourism and even in sports should be lifted
as soon as possible," he emphasized.
Upon a question about comments that Turkey`s reform process had slowed
down in the last 2-3 years, Erdogan told the La Tribune, "I do not
agree with such comments. We have been trying to do everything in
our power to fulfil our commitments."
When asked whether enactment of the proposal which envisages to
punish individuals who deny the so-called Armenian genocide would
prevent the French nuclear energy group Areva from participating in
tenders in Turkey, Erdogan said, "Turkey negotiates this issue with
everyone. France is not the only one in the competition for nuclear
energy tenders."
Anatolian Times, Turkey
July 5 2006
PARIS - "Turkey will not take any step about opening of its ports and
airports to Greek Cypriot traffic unless isolation of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is lifted," said Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.
In an interview with the French La Tribune daily, Erdogan said, "no
one can request us to take steps continuously while the other parties
do nothing. Although Turkish Cypriots supported the United Nations`
peace plan, they were punished. On the other hand, Greek Cypriots
who rejected the plan were awarded with EU membership. It is not fair."
"The only address of a likely solution on the island is the United
Nations. Also, embargoes imposed on the TRNC in the areas of economy,
trade, transportation, tourism and even in sports should be lifted
as soon as possible," he emphasized.
Upon a question about comments that Turkey`s reform process had slowed
down in the last 2-3 years, Erdogan told the La Tribune, "I do not
agree with such comments. We have been trying to do everything in
our power to fulfil our commitments."
When asked whether enactment of the proposal which envisages to
punish individuals who deny the so-called Armenian genocide would
prevent the French nuclear energy group Areva from participating in
tenders in Turkey, Erdogan said, "Turkey negotiates this issue with
everyone. France is not the only one in the competition for nuclear
energy tenders."