“If we have our signature on the treaties establishing the Republic of Cyprus, we must have a state”

National Unity Party FMC Member Dr. Ahmet Savaşan, Savaşan was a guest of Serhat İncirli's program and answered questions. Making evaluations especially on the Cyprus problem and the pandemic process, Savaşan shared his opinion that the strategy followed by the Greek Cypriot side after Geneva will not be effective, and emphasized that the two-state agreement formula is a realistic proposal for the solution of the problems on and around the island of Cyprus, and that the Greek Cypriot side should propose new ways if it does not welcome this.

“THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS A PROBLEM OF SHARING SOVEREIGNTY...”

Emphasizing that the Cyprus problem continues as it emerged in the 1950s, UBP FMK Member Ahmet Savaşan, “The crisis in the 1950s was intended to be concluded with the establishment of a bi-partner administration, but it continued in new forms due to the Greek Cypriot side's desire to take full control. The problem is still the same. The Greek Cypriots want the sovereignty of Cyprus; we do not give it to them. What was done in Geneva is nothing but an attempt to re-emphasize our right to the sovereignty of the island.’.

“WE WANT WHAT THE RUM HAVE...”

Answering the question of whether President Tatar's emphasis on a “two-state solution” will lead to the continuation of the non-solution, Savaşan said, “Why should it? According to the 1959 agreements, if the Greek Cypriots, who are one of the equal stakeholders of sovereignty, have a state, we must also have a state. Equal status requires this. Moreover, Mr. Tatar did not oppose making an agreement with the Greek Cypriot side. He talked about exercising our rights that are accepted by everyone in the formation of the Republic of Cyprus, which has now turned into a Greek Cypriot state. If we have our signature in the agreements that established the Republic of Cyprus, if we have the right to make an agreement with the Greeks, if we are as equal as they are, we have to have a state as they have a state. The new agreement can be made between these two states. It would be a much more reliable and solid agreement. What the Turkish side wants is clear; we want to have what the Greeks have, neither more nor less.”.

“THE CYPRUS PROBLEM CANNOT BE SOLVED BY OLD METHODS...”

Stating that the informal conference in Geneva aims to re-establish the game and that this is known and accepted by everyone, Savaşan said, “The Greek side insists on acting with the old game plan and rules. The Turkish side says that we will no longer seek a solution with the old methods. If we want a solution, we need to change the methods and propose new methods. If the Greek Cypriot side really wants a solution and does not like the methods we propose, they have to propose new formulas that can be accepted by us. However, they have shown that they are in favor of maintaining the current situation by insisting on the old methods, methods that we have been using for 50 years but have not led us to a solution.”.

“TATAR SHOWED THAT HE REALLY WANTS A SOLUTION...”

Pointing out that the Turkish side is trying to be accused of “defending non-solution”, Savaşan said, “Mr. Tatar, if he wanted, would have agreed to start negotiations unconditionally, tried to defend our rights by insisting on certain issues, and the negotiations that started again would have continued for another 8-10 years. And then God forbid! However, by changing the method, Mr. Tatar has shown that he really wants a solution” and pointed out that the responsibility at the next stage lies with the United Nations and the European Union, which should encourage and force the Greek Cypriot side to find a solution.

“WE MANAGED THE PANDEMIC WELL; NOW WE NEED TO MANAGE THE OPENING WELL...”

Answering Serhat İncirli's questions about the pandemic management, UBP FMC Member Ahmet Savaşan, “It is obvious with the figures that we are managing the pandemic well. According to last week's figures, the number of weekly cases per 100 thousand people in the TRNC is 57. In Southern Cyprus, this figure is 283... Five times ours. In Turkey, the figure is 153. Every loss is painful, but our losses are quite low compared to other countries. The result is obvious, the epidemic management that started with Tatar and continued with Saner is successful.’.

“WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS THE SUMMER SEASON IN TOURISM!”

Responding to İncirli's question on whether there is a need for an opening to alleviate the problems that the economy, especially tourism, is experiencing, Dr. İncirli said. Ahmet Savaşan, said the following: “It is true that it is time to open up. In order for the wheels of the economy to start turning again, students and tourists need to be brought to the country with plans that do not endanger the health of the public. We cannot afford to miss the summer season for tourism. But we have to do this opening carefully and cautiously. If we turn to a hectic opening in order to generate income, we may suffer much greater losses due to the health problems that will arise.”.

“WE MUST STRICTLY FOLLOW MASK, DISTANCE AND HYGIENE RULES...”

“We have to realize the opening” Ahmet Savaşan “conditions have also become favorable for opening, but prudence is also necessary. By prudence, I mean establishing the necessary rules for health and monitoring their observance. We see that even vaccinated people can get sick. On the Greek side, there are reports of double vaccinated people losing their lives. This means that we must insist that masks, distance and hygiene rules are respected. In addition, we should not compromise on inspecting the rules such as compliance with the square meter rules and ventilation of the places. Doing these is an obligation in terms of protecting both tourist health and public health.”.

“SANER IS FOLLOWING THE PROCESS ON THE BASIS OF SCIENTIFIC FACTS...”

Prime Minister Ersan Saner’Savaşan pointed out that the Ministry of Tourism, the Supreme Committee on Health and the Council of Ministers are following the pandemic with great care in order to ensure that the opening up is done at the right time and with the right methods.  Ahmet Savaşan, Covid-19 still threatens our health. It is an inevitable necessity to follow mask, distance and hygiene rules. These rules are not arbitrary rules. They are not rules that we can easily break and not be penalized. They are rules that we must follow to protect our own health and the health of our loved ones. If we break these rules, we will ultimately be punished by Covid-19 and there will be no appeal.”.