"[Resumption of talks on Cyprus settlement is possible] if the Greeks [Cypriots] have no intention of joining the island with Greece. Enosis [Greek for ‘union’] is now dead and gone. But they will never do that. If they do that than there is no problem," Cevik said.
Ankara criticized the decision made by Greek Cyprus in early February to commemorate the 1950 referendum, when over 90 percent of Greek Cypriots voted in favor of Enosis.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the proposal to celebrate the referendum was introduced by "the far-right, racist ELAM (National People’s Front)" and added that it would "not contribute to confidence-building between the two peoples on the Island, nor will it contribute to the negotiation process."
Cyprus has been partitioned since 1974, when Turkey occupied the island's north, later proclaiming the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) there. TRNC is recognized only by Turkey, which maintains its military presence there.
The Cypriot Orthodox Church blocked the attempts to reunify the island before and should be persuaded that the reunification is important, Turkish presidential chief adviser said.
"In Cyprus you have also to take into account the Greek Orthodox Church. They are the ones who are blocking the peace efforts, they were the ones who convinced the Greek Cypriot public to reject the Annan Plan at the referendum [in 2004]. I think somebody has to convince the Greek Cypriot Church as well besides everything else," Cevik said.
The latest round of Cyprus reconciliation talks on February 16 ended abruptly, with the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots blaming each other for the early departure.
The Annan plan, proposed by the United Nations, suggested creating the United Cyprus Republic, a federation of two constituent states with one federal government. The majority of Turkish Cypriots supported the plan, but the Greek Cypriots did not.
Cyprus has been partitioned since 1974, when Turkey occupied the island's north, later proclaiming the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) there. The TRNC is recognized only by Turkey, which maintains its military presence there.
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