Erdoğan calls on Greece to push for reconciliation in Cyprus

In his first visit abroad as president of Turkey, in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on Greece as a guarantor country to “fulfill its duty” as Turkey does, saying the window of opportunity won't remain open forever.

 
Erdoğan arrived in the KKTC with an accompanying delegation on Monday. The trip, following his inauguration on Aug. 28, is Erdoğan's first official visit abroad, and in line with a custom observed by earlier presidents, demonstrates Ankara's solidarity with Turkish Cypriots.
 
Erdoğan was greeted by KKTC President Derviş Eroğlu at Ercan International Airport. Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) İstanbul deputy Bülent Turan, AK Party Malatya deputy Ömer Faruk Öz, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Tuğrul Türkeş and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu accompanied Erdoğan on his visit.
 
After visiting the tomb of former KKTC President Rauf Denktaş, a welcoming ceremony was held for Erdoğan at the presidential office. The two leaders then held a press conference following their tête-à-tête meeting.
 
During the joint press conference, Erdoğan spoke of the reconciliation negotiations resumed between the Greek and Turkish Cyprus sides on Feb. 11. He asked for Athens to push for progress in the talks. Erdoğan said Greece and England should also make sincere efforts as Turkey does to achieve reconciliation on the ethnically divided island. He said those who are in search of other guarantor countries are making efforts in vain, as Turkey agreeing to other guarantors is “not possible.”
 
Erdoğan also called for Greece to adopt a conciliatory role before his departure for the KKTC. At a press briefing in İstanbul, Erdoğan said Turkey expects Greece to adopt more “warm and positive approach” during the talks as a guarantor country.
 
Reunification talks between Greek and Turkish Cyprus resumed at the beginning of this year; however, they haven't produced any result thus far. Negotiations have repeatedly stumbled over issues ranging from power sharing to redrawing territorial boundaries, as well as property claims of tens of thousands of displaced persons.
 
During the press conference in the KKTC, Erdoğan said it is not possible for Turkey to accept anything but a two-state solution. “Political equality is a must,” he said.
 
Erdoğan also stated that Turkey hopes that the efforts made since 2008 will yield results.
 
“Everyone should understand that the current window of opportunity won't remain open forever. Nobody has the right to use the time given by the UN and keep the Turkish side and the international community waiting,” he said.
 
Erdoğan also noted that Turkey is seeking a simultaneous referendum at the end of the talks. “We are in favor of a fair, comprehensive solution. We will never accept an unjust project,” Erdoğan said.
 
President Erdoğan also criticized Greek Cyprus for its lack of will to achieve reconciliation during the press conference in İstanbul. He said that the Cyprus problem can be solved through reciprocal good will; however, Greek Cyprus has never adopted a “positive approach” towards reunification.
 
“The will for reconciliation is always presented by Turkish Cypriots. Unfortunately, the other side hasn't shown any will for reconciliation,” he said.
 
After the Turkish presidential election in August, Greek Cyprus leader Nicos Anastasiades reportedly expressed that Greek Cyprus expects a new approach and a new road map for settlement from Turkey. The Greek Cypriot leader also reportedly said that Greek Cyprus insists on annexing Varosha (Maraş), a disputed piece of territory which has been fenced off and has been abandoned since the Turkish military intervention on the island in 1974. The status of Varosha is among the issues to be discussed in the reunification talks between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides.
 

Turkey's support for KKTC

 
In his remarks from the KKTC, President Erdoğan also expressed support for Turkish Cypriots, saying that the Cyprus issue will be one of the main agenda items for Turkey and that he will raise the Cyprus issue during the upcoming NATO summit and United Nations General Assembly meeting.
 
 “I want you to know that our forgetting northern Cyprus is out of the question,” he said.
 
In addition, Erdoğan mentioned water and electricity supply projects for the KKTC, stating that in the near future, once the projects are completed, Turkish Cypriots won't face any power or water cuts.
 
Cyprus has been divided between the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north since 1974, when Turkey sent troops to the island in the aftermath of a Greek-inspired coup that sought to unite the island with Greece. The Greek Cypriot administration is internationally recognized as representing the entire island, while only Turkey recognizes the KKTC.

KKTC President Eroğlu was among the first to call Erdoğan to congratulate him on his recent election win.