TRNC Foreign Minister Özdil Nami met with Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, within the framework of his contacts in Brussels, ‘Yeni Duzen’ reports.
According to a press release by his office, Nami, during the meeting, emphasised that the current problems relating to hydrocarbon reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean stem from the Cyprus problem and that dialogue is essential in order to resolve such problems. He said that it is unacceptable that the Greek Cypriot side has withdrawn from the negotiating table.
Nami expressed the view that EU institutions and the European Parliament should convey balanced messages through their decisions and statements, and should display an effort towards the resumption of the negotiations in a result-oriented manner.
Nami underlined the need for all parties to remain calm and added that these institutions, in which Turkish Cypriots are not represented, produce unilateral positions which may not contribute in any way to the resolution of the Cyprus problem, but may rather raise tensions in the region.
Emphasising that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to do its utmost to further the negotiation process, Nami stated that he expects the international community to encourage the Greek Cypriot side towards compromise.
Nami made concrete proposals regarding what can be done in order for the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots to be lifted and for Turkish Cypriots to be represented at the European Parliament, also reminding that all international actors, particularly the European Union, have a role to play in this regard.
