Turkey’s stance is clear, as it was in 2004 with the Annan plan, in that it is prepared to contribute in every way towards a lasting, just and peaceful solution, said Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in a joint press conference with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in Nicosia.
“Our aim is for this solution to present a good example of coexistence based on bizonality and political equality, based on two constituent states and the creation of a new Republic,” Davutoglu said.
Davutoglu added that Turkey – EU relations are entering a new era, amid a new positive atmosphere.
“We feel it is time to bring this positive attitude to the island and take steps so that the Turks, the Greeks and the Greek Cypriots can jointly create a peaceful atmosphere on the continent.”
In this respect Turkey’s EU candidacy is not just the participation of a country in a union, but also represents a new big step for the future of the continent, in terms of world peace, “for peace between religions and cultures,” he added.
Muslims and Christians, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots living side by side in peace in Cyprus, would be a good example in the Middle East and an opportunity for a new era in Europe where Islamophobia has spread and grown, Davutoglu said.
According to In Cyprus, Davutoglu, who was seen engaging in a friendly chat with President Nicos Anastasiades in Brussels this week – a rare occurrence between politicians from Turkey and Cyprus, arrived on the island on December 1 for a one-day visit just one day after the visit of Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to the occupied north, to hold talks with Akinci.