Negotiating team member Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu takes part in Webinar
Negotiations for a federal settlement in Cyprus has been “exhausted” because of the refusal of the Greek Cypriot side to share power and prosperity in Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot negotiating team member Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said.
Mr Hasipoğlu, who is also a National Unity Party MP and advocate, made the remarks during an online webinar that was organised by the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (UK), British Turkish Cypriot Association (BTCA) and the Circle Foundation. Also taking part were former British work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith (MP), leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and UK Parliamentarian and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group – Turkey, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Barrister Alper Ali Rıza QC and Dr Christian Heinze, former Assistant to the President of the Supreme Constitutional Court of the Republic of Cyprus between 1962 to 1963.
Moderator of the event, former UK Government Minister Brooks Newmark, asked the participants questions in relation to the Cyprus issue and the upcoming five-plus-UN informal meeting.
Mr Hasipoğlu stated that the “Turkish Cypriots have inherent sovereign rights in Cyprus,” adding that “the new policy of the Turkish Cypriot side following the election of President Ersin Tatar is for a settlement on the basis of sovereign equality of two States that exist side-by-side in coexistence, enjoying a relationship of cooperation”.
“A federation may be a good model for other countries, but not for Cyprus, as unfortunately, the Greek Cypriot side is not ready to share power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriots,” he added.
He said there is a democratic mandate for a two-state solution in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that was established by the election of President Ersin Tatar, explaining that: “Our new leader has been elected because of the emphasis of his vision for a two-state solution and that is why Turkish Cypriot people elected Mr Tatar.”
In addition, he argued that the Greek Cypriot side has not been ready to share governance of the island with the Turkish Cypriots – citing the refusal of the Greek Cypriot ‘no’ vote for the UN and EU backed Annan Plan in the jointly held simultaneous referenda by 76 per cent, and the Turkish Cypriot acceptance of the plan by 64 per cent. He said despite this, negotiations for a federal settlement was held again over many years which collapsed in Crans Montana in 2017 – because of the maximalist demands of the Greek Cypriot side and their refusal to share power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriot people.
“All of these give us a right to seek a settlement based on the sovereign equality of two States,” he said.
Mr Hasipoğlu, who is also a National Unity Party MP and advocate, made the remarks during an online webinar that was organised by the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (UK), British Turkish Cypriot Association (BTCA) and the Circle Foundation. Also taking part were former British work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith (MP), leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and UK Parliamentarian and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group – Turkey, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Barrister Alper Ali Rıza QC and Dr Christian Heinze, former Assistant to the President of the Supreme Constitutional Court of the Republic of Cyprus between 1962 to 1963.
Moderator of the event, former UK Government Minister Brooks Newmark, asked the participants questions in relation to the Cyprus issue and the upcoming five-plus-UN informal meeting.
Mr Hasipoğlu stated that the “Turkish Cypriots have inherent sovereign rights in Cyprus,” adding that “the new policy of the Turkish Cypriot side following the election of President Ersin Tatar is for a settlement on the basis of sovereign equality of two States that exist side-by-side in coexistence, enjoying a relationship of cooperation”.
“A federation may be a good model for other countries, but not for Cyprus, as unfortunately, the Greek Cypriot side is not ready to share power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriots,” he added.
He said there is a democratic mandate for a two-state solution in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that was established by the election of President Ersin Tatar, explaining that: “Our new leader has been elected because of the emphasis of his vision for a two-state solution and that is why Turkish Cypriot people elected Mr Tatar.”
In addition, he argued that the Greek Cypriot side has not been ready to share governance of the island with the Turkish Cypriots – citing the refusal of the Greek Cypriot ‘no’ vote for the UN and EU backed Annan Plan in the jointly held simultaneous referenda by 76 per cent, and the Turkish Cypriot acceptance of the plan by 64 per cent. He said despite this, negotiations for a federal settlement was held again over many years which collapsed in Crans Montana in 2017 – because of the maximalist demands of the Greek Cypriot side and their refusal to share power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriot people.
“All of these give us a right to seek a settlement based on the sovereign equality of two States,” he said.