Speech by Mustafa Akinci

Speech by

Mustafa Akinci

As “Accession Negotiations” have started between European Union and Turkey, it is envisaged that during the process the relations betweeen Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus (which is represented only by Greek Cypriots) will be normalized and Turkey will have to open its airports and sea ports for the Customs Union agreement to function for all new member states including Cyprus.

With the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union on 1 May 2004 and now Turkey’s start of “Accession Negotiations” on 3 October 2005, new parameters have emerged. With the new situation and new parameters, new policies have to be developed in order to guide us to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

If in 2006 Turkey starts normalizing its relations with the Republic of Cyprus under Greek Cypriot administration and the Republic of Cyprus does not normalize itself internally, the rights of Turkish Cypriots will further deteriorate and Turkish Cypriots will further be pushed into uncertainity.

Due to this, we feel that a normalization process will have to start in Cyprus as well. For this we invite all the related, interested parties, mainly the two communities, to consider the suggestions and proposals which we have developed in our party organs.

1) The goal in Cyprus should be to establish a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation by keeping in mind 1977-79 high level agreements, political equality as envisaged in the Annan Plan and 1960 Constitution and treaties which created the Republic of Cyprus.

Intercommunal talks should start under the UN auspices as soon possible.

2) Until we reach the Federal state status, a normalizing process should start with the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the 1960 Constitutional organs. ( Such as, House of Representatives and Council of Ministers. )

In this regard we propose the following:

1) The conditions should be created for the President of TRNC to assume the responsibilities and authorities of the Vice-Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus.

2) The conditions should be created for Turkish Cypriots to assume the responsibilities and the authorities of the ministries in the Council of Ministers as envisaged in the constitution.

3) The conditions should be created for Turkish Cypriots to take their seats in the House of Representatives as envisaged in the constitution.

4) When Turkish Cypriots assume their duties in the House of Representatives, a joint ad-hoc Constitution Committee should be formed with equal representation of the two communities. The committee with the help and support of NGO’s from both communities should work and prepare a Federal State Draft Constitution.

5) The airports and sea ports of the island should open for operations under a joint administration composed of members of both communities and under the supervision of EU for the free trade of all related parties.

6) Turkey should start normalizing its relations with the Republic of Cyprus where the relations of two communities have already started normalizing. In this regard Turkey should open its ports to the Republic of Cyprus airplanes and vessels.

7) Having in mind that the Federal Republic of Cyprus will have two federated states and the political determination expressed by Turkish Cypriots on 24 April 2004, Cyprus Turkish State should start to organize. The Administration should be handed over to Turkish Cypriots in its real sense. Turkish Cypriots should be masters of their house and be able to make their own decisions.

8) A specific number of Turkish troops should leave the island, keeping in mind not to create security concerns.

9) Varosha, under the supervision of United Nations and/or European Union, should be handed over to its former inhabitants.

10) Under the supervision of the Council of Europe, a census should be held on both sides of Cyprus.

11) The Finance Regulation which amounts to 259 million EURO’s for the Turkish Cypriots, should be implemented mainly for the purpose of harmonization process with EU.

Research Center - Intercollege