Ertuğruloğlu: I Displayed My Most Dignified Performance at the 2002 Copenhagen Summit

Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu addressed criticisms directed towards him in the parliament, stating that he takes pride in his performance in Copenhagen during the Annan Plan era and that it was his most significant and dignified performance in professional terms.

Ertuğruloğlu mentioned that until they arrived in Copenhagen, it was assumed that the issue was over. He noted that they proposed the membership of the Republic to be established rather than the Republic of 1960 and emphasized the significance of this proposal.

Stating that there was no change in Copenhagen, Ertuğruloğlu said that he suggested negotiating the plan but was not allowed to negotiate the plan presented to them, which he described as completely contrary to the Copenhagen criteria.

Ertuğruloğlu pointed out that these issues were raised to conduct a serious disinformation campaign, mentioning that the outcome of the partnership entered by forcing the Greek Cypriots was forgotten, and according to the Greeks, Turkish Cypriots were never equal to them.

Asserting that advocating a policy that would force them to ignore who they were dealing with was never an acceptable policy for them, Ertuğruloğlu stated that the Greeks did not want any partnership with Turkish Cypriots as long as they pocketed the Republic of Cyprus they obtained.

Asking, “Which plan did the Greeks accept?” Ertuğruloğlu questioned why the EU should never consider the Greek application and what was expected of the Greek side who pocketed the EU membership.

Using the expression “a train that has once gone in the wrong direction,” Ertuğruloğlu stated that those who violate international law cannot bring up international law against them.

Ertuğruloğlu mentioned that the Greeks, who are trying to create a unitary state, are never intending to federate and discussing it is meaningless. He said, “We are a people who have passed the age of 40 as the owner of a state.”

Stating that he is advocating for a cause he believes to be right, Ertuğruloğlu said that blaming the Turkish side for all faults and missing the train rhetoric is not correct. He said, “It’s a good thing we didn’t get on. No one could have put us on this train.” he continued.