Press Releases, Statements, Notes/Articles and Letters INITIATIVE BY TURKEY ON CYPRUS, 24 JANUARY 2006 Cyprus a reminder CYPRUS: WHAT HAS HAPPENED? Highlights of the UNSG´s report Cyprus (Historical Overview) What the World Said Before the Referanda What the World said After the Referanda The Annan Plan and the Greek Cypriot “NO”: False Reasons and Claims Greek Cypriot state terror revealed Confidence Building Measures (1992-1994) Meaningful Anniversary Of The Cyprus Peace Operation Turkish Parliament Proclaims Solidarity With TRNC And Demands Equal Treatment For The Two States On The Island Resolution By The Turkish Grand National Assembly On 21 January 1997 Circular Note Sent To The Embassies Of The EU Member States Concerning The Greek Cypriot Application To The EU, 30 June 1997 Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the establishment of an Association Council Resolution Adopted By The Legislative Assembly of The TRNC March 9, 1998 Aide-Memoire By The TRNC To The British High Commission In Nicosia, 26 March 1998 Documents Given By President Denktas To The UN Secretary-General During Their Meeting In Geneva- 28 March 1998 Resolution of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, 15 July 1999 Treaty Provisions And Basic Documents With Regard To The EU Membership Of Cyprus British Professor of International Law Prof. H. Mendelson Q.C.'s opinion on the legal aspects of the one-sided membership application of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus to the European Union Final communique of the annual coordination meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the States members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference ( United Nations, New York 28 September 2004, 14 Shaa'ban 1425 H - para. related to Cyprus) Report of the Secretary-General Kofi Annan on his Mission of Good Offices in Cyprus, 28 May 2004 Report of the Secretary-General Annan on the United Nations operation in in Cyprus, 3 December 2007 The Status of the Two Peoples in Cyprus Edited By Necati Münir Ertekün Greek Cypriot Attempts To Purchase Missiles From Russia And The Resulting Danger For The Peace And Stability In Cyprus EU and Cyprus:An Expert View Opinion of Professor M.H. Mendelson Q.C on the Application of “the Republic of Cyprus” to Join the European Union Grand Deception, Korkmaz HAKTANIR, Founding Member of the Cyprus Foundation '' BARBARIE A CHYPRE '' Le Soir Illustré 1967 The Need for New Perspective on Cyprus
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  5. Letter Sent to Greek Cypriot Leader Papadopulos on 4 April 2003 by the President of the TRNC, H.E. Rauf R. Denktas
Letter Sent to Greek Cypriot Leader Papadopulos on 4 April 2003 by the President of the TRNC, H.E. Rauf R. Denktas

 

Dear Mr. Papadopoulos,

Thank you for your prompt letter of 2 April 2003, the contents of which I have duly studied.

I am still convinced that at the root of the long-standing Cyprus issue lies the deep crisis of confidence between the two sides. This factor has obstructed all efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement. The latest face-to-face talks process was not an exception to this.

My two-track proposal of 2 April 2003 was aimed at overcoming the crisis of confidence between the two peoples of the Island and contributing to the normalization of relations between them, while giving a new impetus to the efforts targeting a comprehensive settlement.

I would now like to briefly comment on some of the points that you have raised in your letter:

1. As I have confirmed in my letter of 2 April 2003, the Turkish Cypriot side continues to support the good offices mission of the Secretary General.

2. It was the Turkish Cypriot side that initiated the latest face-to-face talks. In this context, we engaged in good faith in the negotiation of the UN Secretary General's suggestions and actively put forward ideas for its improvement. The Turkish Cypriot side also actively engaged in all of the work of the Technical Committees. You also expressed reservations regarding the Secretary General's Plan and put forward suggestions. In fact, at The Hague, the Greek Cypriot side insisted on strict conditions to submitting the Secretary General's Plan to referandum. Again, at The Hague, I proposed that we should discuss the amendments both sides want, and if agreed, to put the Plan to referanda. I am sure you will agree that we can only tackle the core issues in the framework of such a process.

Let me confirm once again that the Turkish Cypriot side has always been for a mutually acceptable and freely negotiated settlement. In my view, the main reason for not realizing this objective is due to the failure to secure a socio-psychologically conducive environment, the achievement of which would have facilitated the evolution of a working relationship between the two sides, primarily through the building up of trust and confidence. It is this particular need that my proposals are set to address in practical terms.

I would, therefore, like to express that my proposals are still on the table. Because of the critical nature of the need to address the issue of trust and confidence in the building up of a partnership in the context of a comprehensive settlement, I will continue to pursue this subject and hope that you will look at my proposals with a new perspective.

I am also sending a copy of this letter to the UN Secretary General.

Sincerely,
Rauf R. Denktaş
President