Cyprus solution needs Turkey’s good will

A political settlement in Cyprus cannot come from the Greek Cypriots without Turkey’s good will and Ankara’s willingness to achieve this objective, President Tassos Papadopoulos said Monday, commenting on the outcome of Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Turkey.

He said that Nicosia as well as Athens have been monitoring developments in Turkey, not only now but also prior to the parliamentary elections, and will exchange views on this.

Turkey, which does not recognize the government of the Republic of Cyprus, occupies the island’s northern part since its troops invaded in 1974.

“We believe it is premature and irresponsible to draw any conclusions at this early stage, as far as political developments in Turkey are concerned,” Papadopoulos said.

He pointed out that irrespective of what happens, it will have repercussions on the question of Cyprus as well.

“Our position remains firm. I hope that the wish for the democratization of the country and for normalization of its accession course towards the European Union will have more positive developments with regard to Turkey’s positions on Cyprus,” he added.
The president concluded that “we all know that the Greek Cypriots will not solve the question of Cyprus without Turkey’s good will and willingness” to do so.

 

— Foreign Minister: not yet time for a change in Turkey’s military

Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Markoulli believes that the time to see a change in the role of the Turkish military has not arrived yet.

“What is important is to see whether the military will continue to hold the key to the so-called national issues, including the question of Cyprus,” she said.

Responding to questions on her way to Brussels to attend the European Union General Affairs Council, she said that the time is not yet ripe in Turkey for “drastic reforms, a domestic revolution to minimize the role of the military, which is what Cyprus wants to see.”

Markoulli said a rise in Erdogan’s share of the vote was not that important and pointed out that Nicosia wishes to see the role of the military reduced.