LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Dervis Eroglu has declared the ongoing Cypriot problem will be solved during his term of office if he is chosen as the next president.
Eroglu will stand as an independent presidential candidate in the election on April 19 supported by the National Unity Party (UBP) and Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG).
"Everyone will see we will reach a deal (in Cyprus)," Eroglu told The Anadolu Agency on Friday.
Negotiations between the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot administration resumed after a two-year pause in February 2013.
However, the Greek Cypriot administration suspended the talks over the divided island on Oct. 7, 2014 after Turkey sent a ship to monitor an oil-and-gas exploration mission off the coast of Cyprus.
'Peace and safety'
Turkey later removed its exploration vessel from the seas around the island.
He said he had sought peace and safety for the people of Cyprus, adding: "I worked for close relations with TRNC's homeland Turkey. Today my aim is still same."
"Our people want results and I am decisive on this."
Meanwhile, TRNC Parliamentary Speaker Sibel Siber said it was important for women to be part of the negotiations.
The incumbent president's main rivals are independent candidate and Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay and Republican Turkish Party-United Forces candidate and TRNC Speaker Sibel Siber.
'New solution'
Siber told The Anadolu Agency: "There must be a touch of women in the negotiations."
"We will remove uncertainty about the future. We hope we will solve (the Cyprus issue) in 2015 or within the first months of 2016."
She added: "We want a president who will struggle to produce a new solution and project for our internal problems."
Seven candidates will compete in the presidential election.
'Equitable exploitation'
Other candidates are Mustafa Onurer, Mustafa Ulas, Mustafa Akinci and Arif Salih Kirdag.
In October 2014, Turkey and the government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus strongly opposed any "unilateral" move by the Greek Cypriot administration to explore for hydrocarbon resources around the island, saying its natural resources should be exploited in an equitable manner under a united Cyprus.
The Turkish Cypriot government has repeatedly said that the resources of the island of Cyprus belong to both communities, and that the Turkish Cypriots would not give up their rights to the resources.
Turkey has removed its exploration vessel Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa from the seas around the island.
