Eroglu: North must , ‘embrace reality’
Former Turkish Cypriot Leader Dervish Eroglu stated that the Greek Cypriot side has never intended to accept the Turkish Cypriot side’s conditions for solving the Cyprus problem. He expressed skepticism about the success of United Nations Envoy Maria Angela Holguin’s efforts and highlighted that the Greek Cypriot leadership and church do not accept Turkey’s status as a guarantor power, nor do they accept the Turkish Cypriot’s participation in government, veto rights, or a rotating presidency. Eroglu criticized the international embargoes on the north, describing them as shameful and a failure to respect human rights. He mentioned that despite promises made before the 2004 referendum, there has been no easing of embargoes, with the EU and the world continuing to punish the Turkish Cypriots while rewarding the Greek Cypriots. Eroglu also reflected on the negotiation processes after the Annan plan, mentioning his own tenure and the negotiations with former President Demetris Christofias and Nicos Anastasiades, indicating a lack of progress towards a federal solution and attributing it to the Greek Cypriot side’s unwillingness to share the administration and wealth of the island.