Özgürgün: “Turkish Cypriots recognise the importance of the ‘Happy Peace Operation’”
17 August, 20178 TRNC firms participate in the İzmir International Fair
21 August, 2017Turkey’s Minister of European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik held a joint press conference with UK Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Alan Duncan, who was in Turkey for official meetings.
Speaking at the joint conference, Çelik noted that despite the positive stance of the Turkish Cypriot side in the negotiations on the Cyprus issue, a solution could not be reached.
Minister Çelik reiterated that Turkey and the UK have a close and vital partnership, especially regarding the Cyprus issue. He made clear that the negotiations on Cyprus are not frozen or suspended following the outcome of the Crans-Montana conference, but over.
Çelik stressed that although Turkey is not an EU member and the UK is in the process of leaving the European Union, Turkey and the UK are two powerful European countries.
Also speaking during the joint conference, Sir Alan Duncan expressed his regrets that the Cyprus Conference in Switzerland failed, and added, “We are aware of the constructive and positive approach of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. We felt very sorry when the comprehensive negotiations ended without an agreement”.