ANKARA
Serdar Denktas, leader of Democratic Party and son of late President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), has proposed to focus on Anatolia which he said is the real power and common sensibility for Turkey and Turkish Cypriots.
Denktas attended a conference titled "Rauf Denktas, From Yesterday to Tomorrow” organized by Atilim University Cyprus Research and Implementation Centre in Ankara.
Denktas said, "talking about my father is talking about Cyprus. For the solution of the Cyprus question, we need to focus on Anatolia which is the real power and common sensibility for Turkey and Turkish Cypriots."
Denktas emphasized on the negotiation progress between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. He stated that from 1968 to 2004 Turkish side of Cyprus had been struggling for recognition as a state but since than nothing had changed. He continued, “The reality is that Greek Cypriots never change their mentality as they are the recognized residents of the island.”
Denktas said that Turkish community in Cyprus had fulfilled their responsibility by accepting Annan Plan with 75 % of votes. Denktas also mentioned the UN's statement on rapprochement of the two states in the island and he rejected the UN's claim.
Denktas highlighted the offer from the European Union (EU) after acceptance of Annan Plan that was to start direct trade and lift sanctions on TRNC. Denktas asserted that Turkish Cypriots did not ask the EU to make direct trade but still the EU had not kept its promises. Denktas concluded his speech by underlining the deadlock on negotiations process and recommended Turkey to start Customs Union with TRNC as he believed the real solution was to bring Anatolian business and investments into north of the island.
