TURKEY WILL NOT GIVE IN TO UNJUST PRESSURES ON CYPRUS ISSUE

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the "Euro-Turkish Banana Connection" project conducted by Alanya Banana Producers Union. During his speech, Minister Bagis touched upon the Cyprus issue and said, "Turkey will never give in to the pressures on Cyprus issue which is a national cause."

Minister Bagis continued his words as follows:

"We always support peace and settlement if there is a reasonable ground for reconciliation. We have expressed this in all platforms since 2002. Prime Minister Erdogan's message is an important chance for the EU to correct its mistake. I would like to underline once more that the Cyprus issue is like a trap on the road to our EU membership and EU may fall into that trap when the Greek Cypriot Administration takes over the EU term presidency. We would like to make a recommendation: 'There is a trap on the road, do not fall into it.'

We make such a recommendation 'because if we want the EU to be a peace project, a bi-zonal, federal settlement to be established by two constituent states in Cyprus on the basis of political equality before 2012 is important for the sake of everyone'. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has never been a country left on its own fate. Turkey has never left the Turkish Cypriot people alone."

Prime Minister Erdogan and Minister Bagis attended the celebrations to mark the 37th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. Expressing that Prime Minister Erdogan had given clear messages during the peace and freedom day celebrations of the foster land, Minister Bagis said that Turkey clearly stated its determination on keeping its firm stance without being rigid on Cyprus issue. Minister Bagis pointed out that the international law, equity and agreements should be taken into consideration, and promises should be kept regarding the Cyprus issue. Bagis expressed that they disagreed with those who defended the policy "Deadlock is the solution" and that they had been spending every effort for this since 2002. Minister Bagis also reminded that those who had Greek Cypriot passports could easily travelled to Turkey during the term of AK Party Government.

Stating that he was the interpreter during the talks between Prime Minister Erdogan and the then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Minister Bagis reiterated the following words of Prime Minister Erdogan, "Turkey and TRNC will always be one step ahead of the efforts you will make for the solution."

Minister Bagis noted that there had been no application in the past in return for the project calls however the "Euro-Turkish Banana Connection" project had been selected from among 400 projects.

With the "Euro-Turkish Banana Connection" project which was granted 113.680 Euros within the framework of Civil Society Dialogue-II Project and which will be completed in 18 months, it is envisaged to reach the EU standards in banana production and marketing and to create a world-wide Turkish trademark by taking into account the good practices of Canary Islands in this sector.

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Egemen Bagis and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mevlut Cavusoglu have honored the opening ceremony held in the meeting hall of Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Banana producers, the representatives of the unions from all over Turkey, the mayors of counties and towns, civil society organisations, academicians and politicians were also present at the opening ceremony.

Source: AA