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AB Haber, Belgium
EU-Turkey News Network
July 7 2006
STATEMENT BY PROF. YAKUP KEPENEK, MEMBER OF THE TURKISH DELEGATION TO
THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
PLENARY SESSION
(6 JULY 2006)
15TH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
(3-7 JULY 2006, BRUSSELS)
Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,
In our deliberations throughout the week, we have taken a number of
significant decisions for strengthening human security in the OSCE
region. The debate on the resolutions and the supplementary items has
given us the opportunity to exchange views on issues of common
concern and to reinforce our dialogue in order to address challenges
we all face. We thank all the rapporteurs and the authors of the
amendments for their hard work. We also welcome Montenegro as a new
participating State in this dialogue.
In our debate, it has become clear once again that the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly is a unique platform for sincere and
constructive political dialogue for enhancing peace and security.
Most of the interventions have lived up to that standard and
expectations. There were only a few who regrettably have chosen to
use the proceedings of this august body to extend biased and
misleading allegations. To facilitate smooth running of the Committee
proceedings we have not responded to those unwarranted allegations
one by one.
Allow me now to make a few comments on what one delegation has said
on the Cyprus question in all three Committee meetings. They talked
about the so-called "Turkish occupation" of the northern part of the
island as a violation of the international law and commitments.
Furthermore, they referred to Turkey's EU accession process and
claimed a link between this process and the Cyprus question. I have
to be straightforward to get my messages through:
Cyprus question did not start when Turkey intervened in the island in
1974. The question started much earlier and in 1963 the Turkish
Cypriots were ousted by force from all organs of the Republic of
Cyprus established as a partnership state in accordance with the 1960
London and Zurich Agreements. The intervention in 1974 based on
Turkey's rights emanating from the international treaties of 1960 was
a reaction to the attempt by the military regime in Greece to annex
the island through a military coup. The Turkish intervention brought
peace to the island which lasted until today.
Since 1974, both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have supported the
efforts carried out under the good offices mission of the United
Nations Secretary General towards finding a just and viable
settlement to the Cyprus question. However, the Greek Cypriot side
rejected various draft proposals for settlement, more recently the
Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem, the well-known Annan
Plan in April 2004. The Turkish Cypriot people approved the Annan
Plan by a clear majority (over 64 per cent). The affirmative vote has
been applauded by the UN and the rest of the international community
which was accompanied by calls for restoration of direct economic,
trade and cultural activities of the Turkish Cypriots. Until today,
not much has changed in the daily lives of the Turkish Cypriots and
the forty-year long isolation and embargoes imposed on them continue
unabated.
The accession of the Greek Cypriot Administration into the European
Union without a comprehensive settlement played a significant role in
increasingly uncompromising policy of the Greek Cypriot side who
rejected the Annan Plan. We regard fairness and objectivity as our
guiding principles in the relations between Turkey and the EU. We
also expect our partners in the EU to fulfil their commitments they
have made both towards Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. Putting an
end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots including starting
direct trade is but one of them. Turkey is determined to continue its
efforts towards the solution of the Cyprus problem under the auspices
of the good-offices of the UN Secretary General based on the Annan
Plan.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, a few words on the Southern Caucasus. Southern
Caucasus region is strategically important for Turkey and for the
entire Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region not least because of the
energy and transport corridors between Europe and the Caspian basin.
The "frozen conflicts", including in Upper-Karabakh, obstruct
regional cooperation perspectives and initiatives. The peaceful
resolution of the Upper-Karabakh conflict would not only contribute
to the regional cooperation but also to the normalization of the
Turkish-Armenian relations.
The Turkish people is united in its determination to foster peaceful
relations with all its neighbours based on mutual respect and the
spirit of cooperation for a better future. With this conviction, we
will continue to support the activities of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly in fostering dialogue and cooperation across the OSCE region
and particularly in the zones of conflict.
Thank you.
EU-Turkey News Network
July 7 2006
STATEMENT BY PROF. YAKUP KEPENEK, MEMBER OF THE TURKISH DELEGATION TO
THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
PLENARY SESSION
(6 JULY 2006)
15TH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
(3-7 JULY 2006, BRUSSELS)
Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,
In our deliberations throughout the week, we have taken a number of
significant decisions for strengthening human security in the OSCE
region. The debate on the resolutions and the supplementary items has
given us the opportunity to exchange views on issues of common
concern and to reinforce our dialogue in order to address challenges
we all face. We thank all the rapporteurs and the authors of the
amendments for their hard work. We also welcome Montenegro as a new
participating State in this dialogue.
In our debate, it has become clear once again that the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly is a unique platform for sincere and
constructive political dialogue for enhancing peace and security.
Most of the interventions have lived up to that standard and
expectations. There were only a few who regrettably have chosen to
use the proceedings of this august body to extend biased and
misleading allegations. To facilitate smooth running of the Committee
proceedings we have not responded to those unwarranted allegations
one by one.
Allow me now to make a few comments on what one delegation has said
on the Cyprus question in all three Committee meetings. They talked
about the so-called "Turkish occupation" of the northern part of the
island as a violation of the international law and commitments.
Furthermore, they referred to Turkey's EU accession process and
claimed a link between this process and the Cyprus question. I have
to be straightforward to get my messages through:
Cyprus question did not start when Turkey intervened in the island in
1974. The question started much earlier and in 1963 the Turkish
Cypriots were ousted by force from all organs of the Republic of
Cyprus established as a partnership state in accordance with the 1960
London and Zurich Agreements. The intervention in 1974 based on
Turkey's rights emanating from the international treaties of 1960 was
a reaction to the attempt by the military regime in Greece to annex
the island through a military coup. The Turkish intervention brought
peace to the island which lasted until today.
Since 1974, both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have supported the
efforts carried out under the good offices mission of the United
Nations Secretary General towards finding a just and viable
settlement to the Cyprus question. However, the Greek Cypriot side
rejected various draft proposals for settlement, more recently the
Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem, the well-known Annan
Plan in April 2004. The Turkish Cypriot people approved the Annan
Plan by a clear majority (over 64 per cent). The affirmative vote has
been applauded by the UN and the rest of the international community
which was accompanied by calls for restoration of direct economic,
trade and cultural activities of the Turkish Cypriots. Until today,
not much has changed in the daily lives of the Turkish Cypriots and
the forty-year long isolation and embargoes imposed on them continue
unabated.
The accession of the Greek Cypriot Administration into the European
Union without a comprehensive settlement played a significant role in
increasingly uncompromising policy of the Greek Cypriot side who
rejected the Annan Plan. We regard fairness and objectivity as our
guiding principles in the relations between Turkey and the EU. We
also expect our partners in the EU to fulfil their commitments they
have made both towards Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. Putting an
end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots including starting
direct trade is but one of them. Turkey is determined to continue its
efforts towards the solution of the Cyprus problem under the auspices
of the good-offices of the UN Secretary General based on the Annan
Plan.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, a few words on the Southern Caucasus. Southern
Caucasus region is strategically important for Turkey and for the
entire Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region not least because of the
energy and transport corridors between Europe and the Caspian basin.
The "frozen conflicts", including in Upper-Karabakh, obstruct
regional cooperation perspectives and initiatives. The peaceful
resolution of the Upper-Karabakh conflict would not only contribute
to the regional cooperation but also to the normalization of the
Turkish-Armenian relations.
The Turkish people is united in its determination to foster peaceful
relations with all its neighbours based on mutual respect and the
spirit of cooperation for a better future. With this conviction, we
will continue to support the activities of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly in fostering dialogue and cooperation across the OSCE region
and particularly in the zones of conflict.
Thank you.