Olgun: “ Greek Cypriot side should stop taking unilateral steps”

Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergün Olgun stated that Greek Cypriot side should abide by the ‘Joint Statement’ and stop taking unilateral steps in order to reach an agreement in Cyprus.
During the press conference that took place yesterday, Olgun briefed the press about the lastest developments regarding negotiations. Olgun indicated that Turkish Cypriot side has to take steps in return for each step the Greek Cypriot side takes.
In his speech at the beginning of the press conference, Presidential Spokesman Osman Ertuğ said that as the Turkish Cypriot side, they do not consider the negotiation process which is suspended by the Greek Cypriot side in October as the ‘end of the way’. Expressing that Turkish Cypriot side wants a solution in 2015, Ertuğ reminded statements of the UN Secretary General ‘This is the last chance to reach a settlement in Cyprus’, and President Derviş Eroğlu ‘Turkish Cypriots should not wait another 46 years for a solution in Cyprus’. Ertuğ renewed his call to the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table without preconditions.
Stressing that in the Joint Statement which was accepted as a road map and approved by both leaders on 11 February 2014 the current status quo is acknowledged as unsustainable, Ertuğ said “The mission is to achieve the goals set in the High Level Agreements and finally in the Joint Statement”.
Furthermore, Olgun explained some realities of the island, the non-changeover factors, solution opportunities and the obstacles in front of a solution. Olgun underlined that in Cyprus’ geography, one people can not have authority over the other, sovereignty belongs to both communities and political equality are unchangeable factors.
Regarding the opportunities which will encourage a solution in Cyprus, Olgun said that the ‘Joint Statement’ is qualified as a road map and this opportunity should not be missed. Stating that in case of a solution, the opportunities formed for cooperation in the region are stimulant to overcome economic difficulties experienced by both sides in the island, Olgun said that a solution to be reached in Cyprus will make great contribution to stabilise the region which has no stability.
Furthermore, stating that unity in the Turkish Cypriot side towards a solution is a constructive factor for a solution, Olgun said “ There is communal support for a solution in the direction of the Joint Statement”