Elections, EU Membership, Turkey and Cyprus

Verheugen highlighted that Cyprus would join the European Union (EU), whether or not the problem on the island is solved.

"The Turks on the island have to realize that Cyprus will not become an artificial genesis formed by two virtually independent states," he said.

"Turkey's positive stance on the Cyprus issue or the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDF) would not make the commission give Turkey a concrete date to start the accession negotiations, The commission is against all political "

CTP: The elections are important in terms of the EU membership process

CTP, who has been victorious in the 30 June local elections, view the election results as "signs of entering the European Union (EU), and the solution of the Cyprus problem."

After Denmark took over the EU presidency, Verheugen, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, had said that "Cyprus will not be a subject of bargain with Turkey."

The political party representatives in TRNC and journalist Sener Levent, writing for the Africa Newspaper evaluated and commented on the latest situation in Cyprus for bianet:

Famagusta Mayor Kayalp: The two communities must live together"

* CTP's winning the elections shows that the people in TRNC want to join the EU. The failures of the right-wing National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP) were also effective in our victory.

* We, from now on, want and believe in the unity of the two communities in Cyprus. What Turkey should do is to fulfil the missions it took upon in Helsinki.

* We desire a structure in Cyprus, which will satisfy the two Cypriot communities, EU and Turkey. And we believe that Turkey will pay attention to this for its own national interests.

Africa Newspaper Columnist Sener Levent: Denktas voted for CTP, not UBP

* The election results do not indicate a success on CTP's part. They indicate that CTP was made to win the elections with the support of other parties.

* During its election campaigns and propaganda, CTP carried both Turkish and TRNC flags. What this meant is; CTP is not criticizing them. In other words, CTP could not put forward any different views from Denktas or Turkey.

* We believe that Denktas voted for CTP and not UBP. CTP's victory will not alter Cyprus' position before the EU. There were 10 candidates in this election. Nilgun Orhon was one of the 10 candidates.

* Our slogan was "Nilgun, not Ayse." Orhon became fourth, she received 1094 votes. The valid votes in Nicosia were around 15 thousand. 10 thousand voters out of 25 thousand and 700, did not vote in these elections. The participation ratio was 64 percent. These figures demonstrate that Nilgun Orhon has really had a great success in these elections.

* Nilgun Orhon could not lead an election campaign. They did not let her go on television. No part of the community can oppose Turkey and Denktas in Cyprus any more. CTP too, has lost its function as an opposition party.

"Turkey will incur a clash"

* With his statements, Verheugen is trying to convey that there is very little time left. A solution could have been reached in June. But it did not happen. Verheugen is stating that Turkey should do what it has to do shortly, or EU will do what's necessary. Verheugen is pointing out how determined the EU is.

* Turkey wants to insist on its own sovereignty. South Cyprus and North Cyprus are trying to gauge what each other can do. The United States of America (USA) and England are supporting Turkey.

* Turkey counts on the USA and England, in incurring unrest. The negotiations about EU will end in September and October. There will be an end to this in Copenhagen.

In my opinion, Turkey will incur a clash to prevent this. And I see a few signs of this already. For example, TRNC has extended its territorial waters to 12 miles. And in the village of Pile, with the sudden and out-of-the-blue excuse of constructing a road, they are trying to create tension.

* The parliament has decided on extending the territorial waters to 12 miles, with the aim of provocation the other side. Turkey has sent 5 thousand 700 soldiers and new heavy weapons to North Cyprus in the last month. Turkish Foreign Ministry explained that they are not planning a new military activity, but did not deny that more soldiers had been sent to North Cyprus.

* In short, Turkey will try to incur a clash before the EU makes a decision.

* Turkey will use its last shot, which is a clash, to prevent Cyprus from joining the EU. In case of a clash, Cyprus' membership will be delayed. EU may implement economic sanctions on Turkey. Turkey may even be sacked from the European Council. Turkey is considering a plan, which will be damaging in every way. The USA is encouraging this plan. CTP was made to win so that Orhon would lose. The votes were dislocated to CTP. It is impossible to have a democratic election in an occupied region.

Patriot Unity Action (YBH) General Secretary Izzet Izcan: "CTP's victory is a positive development"

* The people have voted for CTP because they want to join the EU. This should be seen as a message from the Turkish Cypriot community both to the EU and to Turkey. With these elections, the community has given the message that it does not embrace the status quo. Those against the EU are dominant in Turkey. For that reason, they will not view these elections in a positive way.

* Those who are governing Turkey are using Cyprus as a trump card. But they cannot carry on like this. Turkey has to make a decision now. If it does the opposite, its long-term Cyprus policies will bump into a wall. Turkey, in the situation it is in now, seems to be devoid on political responsibility. If it goes on like this, both the Turkish public and the Cypriot public will have to go through a lot of trouble.

* The parameters of the Cyprus problem will naturally grow if just the South Cyprus is accepted into the EU. South Cyprus, hiding behind the EU, will propagate policies against Turkey. There will be migration from North Cyprus to South Cyprus. And that would lead to large losses.

" Denktas and Turkey are isolating Cyprus from the rest of the world"

* The life in Cyprus is now fixated to October. We believe that Turkey will act sensibly and meet with the EU somewhere in the middle. We do not believe that Turkey can risk a clash. We think that Turkey's current threats are just bluffs.

* The communities in Cyprus are against Turkey's practices. Turkey is losing the support of the public too. With their practices, Denktas and Turkey are trying to isolate Cypriots from the rest of the world. They have been successful in wasting time up to now, but we do not want them to go on like this any more.

National Unity Party (UBP) Former Health and Social Aid Minister Dr. Mustafa Erbilen: "I don't think that South Cyprus will join the EU"

* CTP's victory is the public's reaction to Dervis Eroglu. The votes CTP won are reactionary votes. I do not believe that this election will create too much of a change. The government of the TRNC is dependent on Ankara. And its future is also dependent on Ankara. And Ankara cannot think soundly at the moment. Its Prime Minister is not healthy either. I believe that Turkey will act in a sounder manner from now on. I don't believe that South Cyprus will be accepted into the EU. The EU needs Turkey's approval to accept South Cyprus. (NK/BB/EA/NM)