Turkey wants fix to Cyprus dispute: Gul

A fair and just resolution of the Cyprus dispute can only be reached through the acceptance of the reality that there are two peoples, two states, two languages and two religions on the island, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said late Tuesday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat in Lefkosa, Gul said that Turkey was doing all it could to bring about an end to the dispute on Cyprus and that he believed that one day peace would prevail on the island.

Gul said that his talks with Talat earlier in the day had been fruitful and had focused on the current situation on Cyprus and ways to further strengthen co-operation between the two countries. He also blamed the Greek Cypriots for holding back progress in ending the dispute.

“The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has done and is doing all it can to bring a just, permanent and comprehensive peace to the island,” said Gul.

“By voting ‘Yes’ at a previous referendum, the Turkish Cypriots showed their sincerity in desiring a lasting solution. Turkish Cypriots are not the side that wants a deadlock in the island.”

The Turkish President also rejected suggestions by the Greek Cypriot administration that the Turkish Armed Forces were an impediment to peace on the island and were an occupying force.

“The Turkish Armed Forces brought peace to the island of Cyprus,” he said.

“It is a symbol of peace.”

Gul also vowed that Turkey would continue to provide support to the TRNC economy, which is restricted by an international embargo, put in place in the wake of the 1974 intervention on the island by the Turkish military.

“We will be on the side of our brothers and sisters in Cyprus by providing security, defending the right cause of the Turkish Cypriots and from an economic point of view,” he said.