‘Serious Progress’ Says Talat
Thirty common documents have been prepared so far during the direct talks, with “serious progress” made on the economy, the EU and power sharing, the Turkish Cypriot leader said yesterday.
Mehmet Ali Talat noted that this was the first time in 40years of talks that this had happened.
He added, however, that the passage of half a century made the achievement of a comprehensive solution difficult.
Talat convened a press conference in the wake of his joint statement with President Christofias on Monday, which stipulated that the two leaders would explain to their respective communities the progress achieved and the remaining differences.
Talat said that he and Christofias have agreed on the basis of a federal partnership with an international personality and equal status for the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot co-founding states, in the context of bizonality and political equality.
The Turkish Cypriot leader kept referring to “co-founding” states instead of the two constituent states used by the Greek Cypriot side.
His adviser, Ozdil Nami, said no serious convergence could be made on the issues of territory and guarantees and therefore no joint document had ensued.
Another of Talat’s aides, Tufan Erchiuman, said that 15 joint documents had been prepared on the economy.
He also provided information on the constitutions of the two “co-founding” states, as he called them, and described what their institutions would be, as well as their powers regarding the conduct of foreign relations and nationality.
The constitutions of the “co-founding” states will be put to referenda in each community.
Mehmet Ali Talat noted that, due to their positive response to the Annan Plan in 2004, the Turkish Cypriots had gained moral superiority and for this reason no adverse document had been approved by the international community for them.
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