Eroğlu, speaking in an interview with Bayrak Television on Thursday, said he agreed with Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat that a government representative should accompany the president during the upcoming negotiations.
Eroğlu, however, did not mention any name for the post.Talat and his Greek Cypriot counterpart, Dimitris Christofias, have engaged in about 40 rounds of negotiations discussing the reunification of the island since September of last year. Talat and Christofias wrapped up the first phase of talks last week and will resume negotiations in September.
Eroğlu's National Unity Party (UBP), elected to power in April's parliamentary elections, has stated from the beginning that it wanted to appoint a representative to accompany Talat to the negotiations.
The UBP has insisted that a government envoy is necessary so that Parliament will receive information and have a say in what is being discussed with the Greek Cypriots. Critics say it is an attempt to restrict Talat's room to maneuver. Meanwhile, Talat's spokesperson, Hasan Erçakıca, announced earlier this week that Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu will pay a visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) next week in order to hold talks with Turkish Cypriot officials ahead of the upcoming negotiations in September.
