Former Turkish Cypriot president dismisses unification

A former president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday he did not think reunification of the divided island was possible.

“I do not believe that there will be a deal on the island," Dervis Eroglu told a conference about Cyprus at Istanbul's Arel University.

“Greek Cypriots do not have the intention for a deal," he told assembled university students.

Eroglu, who was president from 2010 to 2015, said that during a years-long negotiation process many issues had been already debated.

“There is not any part that has not been discussed on the Cyprus issue. I know what Greek Cypriots want and Greek Cypriots know what I want," he said.

Eroglu noted the importance of a mutual understanding between the two communities on the island.

“Greek Cypriots want us to turn before 1974 [situation]. [They] want Turkey to leave Cyprus, not even leaving a Turkish soldier and lift its guarantee system," he said.

The eastern Mediterranean island was divided into a Turkish Cypriot state in the north and a Greek Cypriot administration in the south after a 1974 military coup on the island was followed by the intervention of Turkey as a guarantor power. Turkey keeps around 40,000 soldiers in the island.

The Turkish Cypriot politician said that the Greek Cypriot state, which is both a member of the EU and UN, did not need a deal.

The TRNC is only officially recognized by Turkey.

“One of the reasons for Greek Cypriots' disagreement is this; there is no need for an agreement. They see us in need of a deal," he added.

Eroglu claimed that continuation of negations was what major powers, including the EU and the U.S., want.

Turkish and Greek Cypriots have been discussing six crucial topics including security, territory, property, economy, governance and EU affairs over the years.

Eroglu said that he proposed to work together on natural gas research with Greek Cypriots and to use the revenue for possible costs after reunification.

“They said 'no'. Now both the negotiations are continuing and also Israel and Greece conduct military exercises," he said.

Eroglu also claimed that Turkish Cypriots' proposal to send natural gas via Turkey to Europe had been rejected as well.

“They are working on marketing [the gas] to Greece via Crete from Israel and Egypt," he said.

“While negotiations continue, on the other side, agreements with other countries have been made," Eroglu said, adding: “[Greek Cypriots] will make an agreement on natural gas research in September or October and it will hit the negotiating table like a bomb," he said.

Reunification talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities resumed in May 2015.

Previous negotiations had stalled in Oct. 2014 due to a row over gas exploration.

Current TRNC President Mustafa Akinci said on Friday: “I hope we can make 2016 the year of solution".