LEFKOSA, Northern Cyprus
The Greek Cypriot administration should return to the negotiating table without preconditions, the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said on Wednesday.
"We cannot give up our rights so that the Greek Cypriots can return to the talks," said Dervis Eroglu in a statement, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side continued to stay at the table.
Turkish Cypriots wanted a speedy solution and an end to injustices, stated Eroglu, saying the Turkish Cypriot side was positive and wanted “a result-oriented” understanding in peace talks.
Eroglu said the Turkish Cypriot government was in harmony with Turkey over the policies to be discussed during the Cyprus peace process.
He said the solution to the issue would contribute to development of the island's two peoples and their welfare, adding: "We believe the solution will also boost relations between Turkey and Greece."
The Greek Cypriot administration suspended talks in October in retaliation for Turkey’s warship mission to monitor oil-and-gas exploration activity off the Cyprus coast.
Turkey objects to the Greek Cypriot administration's plans to unilaterally exploit hydrocarbon resources off the island.
Negotiations between the two sides had resumed after a two-year pause in February 2013.
Previous talks had collapsed, partly because of the impact of the eurozone debt crisis on the government in Lefkosa.
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