Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Commerce

Brussels Representation Newsletter
 

ISSUE 2, JUNE 2013

Turkish Cypriot civil society organisations demand urgent solution to the Cyprus problem

16 Turkish Cypriot civil society organisations led by KTTO sent a letter to Alexander Downer, UN Special Adviser to the Secretary General on Cyprus, asking for the immediate launch of the reunification talks from where the two sides left it in 2012 and demanding an urgent solution to the Cyprus problem by early 2014.

The civil society organisations expressed their disappointment with the recent statements made by the Greek Cypriot Leader Mr. Nicos Anastasiades that any round of comprehensive settlement talks on the Cyprus issue would not begin from where the two sides left it in 2012. This is seen as a clear indication of the Greek Cypriot Leader’s intention to play for time and to drag on the Cyprus problem for many more years. The letter states “ Mr. Anastasiades should be reminded that he has no right to scrap the entire process and to restart everything from scratch at the expense of Turkish Cypriots who have been subjected to isolation for decades.” Outlining the benefits of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem to all parties involved, the organisations warned that Turkish Cypriots could not wait any longer for a solution and they wanted to start shaping their future without any further delay. The international community is also urged to do its own part by taking a firm stance against any delaying tactics in the talks and to reach a solution at the latest by early 2014 to help keep Turkish Cypriots committed to the peace process.

LETTER

Mr. Alexander Downer
UN Special Adviser to the Secretary General on Cyprus
Nicosia

Dear Mr. Downer,

We would like to express our disappointment with the recent statements made by the Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Nicos Anastasiades that any new round of comprehensive settlement talks on the Cyprus issue will not begin from where the two sides left it in 2012. We believe that this is a clear indication of the Greek Cypriot leader’s intention to play for time and drag on the Cyprus problem for many more years. Both the UN and the Parties have devoted a great deal of time and effort to achieve progress in the talks. Therefore, it is our considered opinion that you should remind Mr. Anastasiades that he has no right to scrap the entire progress and restart everything from scratch at the expense of the future of Turkish Cypriots who have for decades and still are suffering under embargoes. We have already lost more than one year due to the EU Presidency of Cyprus and the presidential election in the South. We do understand that change in the leaderships might require some adjustments in the methods and priorities of the talks but we cannot accept any derail from the main objective of finding a comprehensive solution in 2013.

To put it clearly, the fate of Turkish Cypriots and the peace process should not be left at the mercy of the Greek Cypriot leader. Turkish Cypriot people would like to see the launch of the reunification talks from where it was left by the previous Greek Cypriot leader. Starting the talks where it was left will speed up the solution at a time when it is most needed, which is now. The solution will lead to the simultaneous opening of all ports to all sides. This will allow Turkish Cypriots to better integrate their economy as a united Cyprus into the EU and will provide Greek Cypriot ships immediate access to the Turkish ports and markets – a move that will inject billions of dollars to the Greek Cypriot economy.

Dear Mr. Downer,

Turkish Cypriot civil society has been the driving force behind the positive changes in Cyprus in the last decade. Nevertheless, witnessing the Greek Cypriot leadership employing delaying tactics is making it almost impossible to keep the Turkish Cypriot confidence in the peace process alive. Turkish Cypriots have been living in limbo for ages despite the fact that we are supposed to live on EU land. We just cannot wait any longer because time is working against a solution and deepening the problems; thus helping the status-quo. We want to start shaping our future without any further delay. If the international community wants the Turkish Cypriots to stay committed to the peace process, then it should do its own part by taking a firm stance against any delaying tactics in the talks.

Turkish Cypriots demand an urgent solution. It is our considered opinion that if a solution is not concluded at the latest by early 2014, the motivation and willingness of the Turkish Cypriots will diminish beyond repair.

Turkish Cypriot Civil Society Organizations

Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce
Kıbrıs Türk Ticaret Odası (KTTO)

Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry
Kıbrıs Türk Sanayi Odası (KTSO)

Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans
Kıbrıs Türk Esnaf ve Zanaatkarlar Odası (KTEZO)

Federation of Free Workers Union
Hür İşçi Sendikaları Federasyonu (HÜR-İŞ)

Cyprus Turkish Public Servants Union
Kıbrıs Türk Kamu Görevlileri Sendikası (KAMU-SEN)

Cyprus Turkish Public Workers Trade Union
Kamu İşçileri Sendikası (KAMU-İŞ)

Cyprus Turkish Building Contractors Association
Kıbrıs Türk İnşaat Müteahhitleri Birliği (KTİMB)

North Cyprus Hoteliers Association
Kıbrıs Türk Otelciler Birliği (KITOB)

Cyprus Turkish Tourism and Travel Agencies Association
Kıbrıs Türk Turizm ve Seyahat Acenteleri Birliği (KITSAB)

Cyprus Turkish Businessmen Association
Kıbrıs Türk İşadamları Derneği (İŞAD)

North Cyprus Young Businessmen Association
Kuzey Kıbrıs Genç İşadamları Derneği (GİAD)

Dairy Producers Union
Süt Ürünleri İmalatçıları Birliği (SÜİB)

Stone Quarries Association
Taşocakçıları Birliği

Turkish Cypriot Food Importers Association
Kıbrıs Türk Gıda İthalatçıları Birliği

Cyprus Turkish Employers Association
Kıbrıs Türk İşverenler Sendikası

CTCI Young Professionals
KTSO Genç Profesyoneller