METE HATAY: MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CYPRUS AND KARABAKH IS THAT TURKS AND GREEKS NEGOTIATE

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.11.2008 15:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The main difference between the Cypriot question
and the Nagorno Karabakh problem is that Turks and Greeks are engaged
in talks in Cyprus, according to the UN plan, said a project leader
of Peace and Research Institute of Oslo.

"Turks are free to go to the Greek part of the island. People from
both sides cross the ‘green line’. A part of the Armenian community,
some 2000 people, lives in the Turkish territory. All have normal
relations but absence of an agreement creates plenty of problems,"
Mete Hatay told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

He said the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus is a
necessity. However, asked why Turkey opposes existence of the NKR
Defense Army, the Turkish Cypriot said that "all problems should be
resolved through compromise."

The researcher also refrained from speaking about the "Azeri community"
on NKR.

"To achieve peace in the region, the unrecognized republics should
develop a common strategy, taking into account the positions of all
interested parties," Mr. Hatay said.