By Stefanos Evripidou

TURKISH Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay has thrown his hat in the ring ahead of next April’s elections for the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

In an interview with daily Kibris, Ozersay announced his intention to run in next year’s ‘presidential’ elections in the north. He told the paper that his decision was final.

Ozersay said he would remain in his post as negotiator until the breakaway regime’s election board determined the timetable for the elections, unless his boss Dervis Eroglu decides otherwise.

He noted that the peace talks are currently entering an important phase. He told the paper he has been actively involved in the Cyprus talks for 12 years and at the highest level because he believes in a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to Eroglu’s possible candidacy in next April’s elections, Ozersay said he did not know Eroglu’s intentions but that the Turkish Cypriot leader has already said he would announce his decision of whether to seek re-election or not in November.

As for his own decision to run as an independent candidate, Ozersay said he was motivated by the desire to show courage and a real will to make changes.

So far, Ozersay faces competition from former Turkish Cypriot mayor of the northern part of Nicosia Mustafa Akinci, supported by the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and ‘house speaker’ Sibel Siber, backed by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP).

Internal bickering between the CTP and Mehmet Ali Talat effectively ruled out the former Turkish Cypriot leader’s potential candidacy, while ‘foreign minister’ Ozdil Nami, an apparent favourite among the international community, did not see enough support to even challenge Siber for the CTP candidacy.

Eroglu, meanwhile, has been encouraged by the National Unity Party (UBP) to field his candidacy. Should he run, Eroglu will seek to mobilise the forces of the right in the Turkish Cypriot community, harnessing votes from UBP and Serdar Denktash’s Democratic Party (DP).

Bayrak radio on Friday quoted Eroglu as saying that his mind was filled at the moment with efforts to reach a settlement, noting that with the arrival of UN Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide to the island, the negotiations process might intensify after the Bayram holiday.

“Since I am currently focusing mainly on the negotiations process, I will think and decide about my candidacy in November,” he said.

In a possible dig at Ozersay, Eroglu argued that no one could win the elections without the support of a strong party.





