Eroğlu vows not to walk away from the negotiating table

The conservative politician, who insists on equal sovereign rights with Greek Cypriots, said in an interview with Today’s Zaman that he would continue the talks in coordination with the Turkish government, which lent its support to incumbent President Mehmet Ali Talat’s talks with Christofias.

Talat has said the election of Eroğlu would mean the end of the talks because the prime minister, despite his promises that negotiations would continue, does not accept one of the most basic parameters of the UN-backed negotiations: shared sovereignty in a new Cypriot state that would emerge out of the talks.

Here are excerpts from the interview with Eroğlu:

Polls show you ahead of Talat. What is the reason for this public support?

It is the trust of the people in me because I have been with these people since 1963. This is why we say we are different, because we have the people’s support behind us in our election campaign. And the reason why people trust us is the consistent policies we have been defending for years.

What will happen to the negotiations? Will you propose alternative solutions?

The Turkish Cypriot side always sat at the negotiating table in good faith and approved some of the deals offered to us. The Annan plan [proposed by the UN and rejected by the Greek Cypriots in 2004] was one of them. The Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, did not accept any of these deals. They left the negotiating table every time we got close to an agreement. As long as the Greek Cypriots do not have the readiness and commitment for a solution, our good intentions alone will not be enough for a settlement. The Greek Cypriot side should come to the table prepared for compromise. The international community has also responsibilities in this regard.

What will your relations with the Turkish government be like if you are elected president?

I am not an inexperienced politician. I have been actively involved in politics since 1976, and for 18 years I have served as prime minister. I have always had good relations and a working dialogue with Turkish governments.

What will you propose during the negotiations with Greek Cyprus?

The truth is that there are currently two states in Cyprus. During the negotiations, we will be seeking a deal that will make sure that what happened prior to [the Turkish military intervention in] 1974 will not be repeated again [referring to the Greek Cypriot attacks on the island’s Turkish population]. We will be seeking a deal guaranteeing that Turkish rights on the island will be protected. The Turkish Cypriot side, in short, wants an honorable deal, a deal that will last. We do not see the same sincerity in the Greek Cypriot side, however. They think that the Turkish Cypriots are obligated to secure a deal and thus will make the concessions they demand. And once we make these concessions, they believe, we will be melted down within the Greek Cypriot society.

President Talat is known to be working in harmony with the Turkish government. Do you believe the same harmony will prevail if you are elected?

Mr. Talat has led the negotiations so far. Now, a new era is beginning. Of course I will conduct the negotiations with the Greek Cypriots in coordination with Turkey. I am convinced that there will be no KKTC without Turkey and no deal will be lasting unless it is endorsed by Turkey. I have never had any problem with Turkey throughout my 34-year political career.

Some suggest that your victory in the election will help the Greek Cypriots because you are known to be less pro-settlement than Talat.

Unfortunately, Mr. Talat keeps telling the world and Turkey that he is in favor of a solution and we are opposed to it. And I have never negotiated with the Greek Cypriots; how can people say I am intransigent or pro-settlement? Claims that I do not favor a solution are nothing but election campaign claims. Mr. Talat is said to be pro-settlement, and what has this changed? Has anything changed? No. The uncompromising side is the Greek Cypriots. If we sit down at the negotiating table and Mr. Christofias leaves the talks, he will be blamed for the failure of the talks. Since I am determined to continue with the talks, and since I am not going to leave the negotiating table, if Christofias leaves the table, the whole world will say he has no intention of making a deal.