Çömez: New Draft Proposal Is Worse Than the Annan Plan

Speaking in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), Çömez commented on the UN Secretary-General's upcoming visit to Cyprus and Turkey's Cyprus policy.

Describing the visit as being presented as "a very important matter," Çömez said: "But important for whom? Not for us, not for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It is very important for the Greek Cypriots."

Çömez also claimed that the European Commission had published a report ahead of the visit describing Turkey as an "occupying power" in Cyprus.

Referring to what he described as a draft report prepared by the UN Secretary-General's special envoy, Çömez argued that it could have more serious consequences than the Annan Plan.

"It is a report that is worse than the Annan Plan," he said.

According to Çömez, the draft includes provisions calling for Turkey to withdraw its military forces from the island, transfer security responsibilities to NATO and pull back from certain areas.

He argued that such proposals undermine the long-standing policy of a two-state solution and called for the public to be properly informed about recent developments concerning the Cyprus issue.

"We are losing significant ground on the Cyprus issue," Çömez said, urging the government to strengthen its diplomatic efforts.

"Defend the Cyprus cause not with the small palaces you have built there or with infrastructure projects, but with your diplomatic strength. Let us all stand together in support of Cyprus," he said.