Turkish Cypriot leader sees June talks as last chance

Talat told a conference hosted by the Center for Eurasian Strategic Studies (ASAM) in Ankara, his government wants to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and they will do whatever is necessary for a solution, the Anatolian Agency reported.

"Once the negotiations begin in late June, it would be very difficult for both sides to stand up and leave the negotiating table. It would not be possible for either side to leave the negotiating table as this is really the last chance for a solution," he said.

Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Talat are set to begin reunification talks in June after a three-month preparation period. The reunification talks stalled in 2004 when Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N. blueprint for the island’s reunification; a plan overwhelmingly supported by Turkish Cypriots.

Talat said although working groups and technical committees began working in Cyprus, this does not show that everything is going well and smoothly. "Our general approach is to establish an entity based on two founding states in which the two peoples are politically equal. The partnership state will function with the equal participation of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. This state will be functional via a 'virgin birth' method," he was quoted as saying by the Anatolian Agency.

"We will continue working with good will and intention. We hope we will succeed. If we do become successful, this would eradicate the uncertainty in the future of Turkish Cypriots, eradicate the concerns and fears of the Greek Cypriots and end the Cyprus problem of Turkey in its relations with the European Union (EU) and the world in general," Talat added.

"If we can not find a solution to the Cyprus problem by the year 2012, we can conclude that a solution in the island is not possible. At that time, the international community will need to re-evaluate the realities," Talat also said.

The Greek Cypriot administration will assume EU's rotating presidency in 2012.

Photo: AA