NICOSIA — The Cyprus problem has been on the agenda for the better part of 40 years. After the Greek Cypriot side rejected the 2004 UN Annan Plan, negotiations continued fruitlessly for years. After a two-year hiatus, negotiations were resumed in February last year. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's historic visit to the island last week breathed new life into the peace process. To discuss the developments during Biden's visit, we spoke with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) President Derviş Eroğlu.U.S. Vice President Joe Biden undertook a historic visit to Cyprus. What sort of importance does this carry for the negotiations? It is historic in that it was the first visit to our island by a U.S. vice-president in 52 years. However, what is more important for us is that Biden directly visited the KKTC Presidency. The visit showed, importantly, that both governments are being treated equally during the negotiation process.Despite the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side to prevent Vice President Biden's visit to the KKTC and the Presidency, the visit did occur. This very room in which we are conducting this interview is used to welcome all guests and bilateral meetings. As you can see, there are no flags in this room. However, the Turkish and KKTC flags are flown at the entrance of the Presidential Palace. Our flags were flying when U.S. Vice President Biden met with me. The claims in the Greek press of the removal of flags during the meeting are solely speculation. Through this interview I tend to clarify misunderstandings. After the bilateral meeting, during the dinner with Joe Biden and the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis, you said that a consensus has been reached. Can you tell us more about this agreement? Our frank conversation with Mr. Biden continued during the dinner after the bilateral meeting. During dinner an agreement containing four clauses was agreed on. The first of these is to hold meetings with Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiadis frequently, twice monthly. Another clause of the agreement is for both sides to cooperate and assist the research commission on missing persons. We also agreed to continue to take actions that would contribute to the growth of mutual trust and to establish joint technical committees. Was the issue of Maraş (Varosha) discussed in relation to confidence building measures? The issue of Maraş was discussed during the dinner with Anastasiadis; however, we have not placed this matter among the confidence-building measures. The aim of these negotiations was to reach a comprehensive and permanent solution for peace. Thus, bringing in issues such as Maraş into the fold will only distract from the actual aim of the negotiations. The issue of Maraş will be discussed under land exchange and is part of the peace process. As a result, we do not view the matter of Maraş as part of the confidence-building measures, and Vice President Biden understood our objections.During the press conference, Joe Biden stated that once both sides are in agreement we are prepared to help resolve the issue of Maraş. However, currently we have not reached a resolution on the matter with the Greek Cypriot side. What is meant by confidence-building measures exactly? Confidence-building measures are solutions that will be beneficial and accepted by both sides of the island.For example, we proposed the removal of all land mines from the island as such a measure. Such a tangible measure would increase safety for people on both sides of the island; however, the Greek Cypriot side did not accept our proposal. Another issue is trade. Currently, the Greek Cypriot side has to buy Turkish products via Greece. This means that the procurement process is longer and that Turkish goods are sold to Greek Cypriots at an inflated price. We have suggested Magusa harbor as a trading point, which would reduce the time and cost of importing goods. Another suggestion was for cruise liners to dock at ports on both sides of the island. If GSM operators were able to provide services for both sides of the island, that would be a confidence building measure for us. These recommendations are formed with the purpose of making life easier for people on both sides of the island. However, the Greek Cypriot side has not yet taken any concrete steps towards these recommendations. After the meetings, Joe Biden spoke of one solution for two peoples and two regions. What does this mean to you, and does it coincide with your expectations? In the joint statement that was released on Feb. 7, which paved the way for the restart of negotiations, a federation comprised of two peoples, two regions and two founding states was outlined. The UN Kofi Anan Plan that was presented before similarly suggested a solution built on the equality of the two political regions.Biden was referencing the UN's emphasis on political equality and the Feb. 7 declaration. As this solution is what we wish to see become a reality, I can say that our expectations do match Biden's proposed solution. Was Turkey's EU accession membership process part of the discussion? As you know there are chapters that have been blocked by the Greek Cypriots. So far this issue has not been part of our discussions with the Greek Cypriots. The blockade on Turkey's EU accession process by Greek Cypriots is an oft-reminded historic mistake. While the Greek Cypriot side resists a peace process and voted against the Anan plan, it was granted full EU membership. The reluctance of the Greek Cypriots to find a solution has been the key reason for the negotiations having had to take years. At what stage are the bilateral meetings, which started on Feb. 7? And how are they continuing? After Feb. 7, the Greek Cypriots took a month to survey previous negotiations and where these negotiations had brought us. Currently in the negotiation process, suggestions from both sides are being put forth. The joint statement of Feb. 7 clearly stipulated that both sides would work to find solutions for contentious issues.However, the Greek Cypriots have disregarded all the previous agreements reached in past negotiations. Therefore, previous matters on which there were agreements are back on the negotiating table. For instance, right now draft proposals based on power and governance sharing are being proposed. We had agreed on a rotating Presidency system with the previous Greek Cypriot leader (Dimitris) Hiristofyas. Now, however, Anastasiadis is overlooking this agreement and has recommended a model whereby the Presidency would be held by the Greeks and the Vice-Presidency by the Turks. This sort of behavior does make us wonder about how dedicated Greek Cypriots are in finding a solution. We are not vying for time; we continue to pursue a comprehensive and lasting solution. We shared our concerns regarding the sincerity of the Greek Cypriot side with Vice-President Biden.The Cyprus problem has continued from the 1960s to the present day. Even if one takes 1974 as the reference point, 40 years has past. It is important to consider the negotiations of the last 40 years. The 1975 agreement saw the exchange of Turks living in the south and Greeks living in the North. In our current negotiations, the Greek Cypriots are requesting land for Greeks who lived in the North prior to the 1975 agreement. Are these people still living after four decades? Do they want to migrate to the North? Without answers to such questions, such requests from the Greek Cypriots are not practical and are unfeasible.During this period, we have also had an influx of migrants to the KKTC from mainland Turkey, who have become our citizens. Today, the second or third generation of these migrants continues to live here today.Again the Greek Cypriots are making unrealistic requests, such as the return of these peoples to mainland Turkey. As a result, during my meetings with Anastasiadis, I continually emphasize these past 40 years ought not be brushed aside. From what you have said, it seems the Greek Cypriot side is not keen on finding a solution. And yet you previously stated that if both sides agreed, the solution could be implemented within a year. What do you think of the future of the peace process? As you know, the negotiations have been ongoing these past 40 years, and with the exception of the guarantor countries, every issue has been discussed. By ignoring the past years of negotiations, the Greek Cypriot side is playing for time. However, I do believe that if the Greek Cypriots were serious about a peace agreement, this could be implemented on the island in a matter of months. During the dinner with Biden, I expressed my wish to Anastasiadis that all vying for time tactics be abandoned and that he act with sincerity. How did Anastasiadis respond? He expressed their desire to find a solution as well, but so far our experience has left us skeptical. It is the first time that Turkish Cypriots are fully dedicated to a peace process. I can say with confidence that my people have placed their trust in me. We may not always find such overwhelming support for a peace process again.If the peace process does not reach an importance stage this year, Turkish Cypriots may lose their faith in the process entirely. This would lead the negotiations to fall into a state of ambiguity. How are the newly discover gas reserves in Cyprus affecting the peace process? In our meeting with Mr. Biden this issue was discussed, and we stated that the KKTC has a claim to these natural resources. The Greek Cypriot side has not made a statement to the contrary. However, we are the ones who suffer most from the lack of a solution to the Cyprus problem. The lack of a solution means that KKTC citizens still live under an embargo. The EU and the U.S. must impress upon the Greek Cypriot side that there will be a cost for approaching the negotiations without willingness. If the embargo on the KKTC was lifted or a direct trade agreement signed with the EU, the Greek Cypriot side would change their stance at the negotiating table. The peace process could be realized, and the natural resources of Cyprus can be put forth on the global market, benefiting the entire population of the island. We want the negotiations to be conducted with sincerity, says Eroğlu Who is Derviş Eroğlu?Dr. Derviş Eroğlu who was born 1938 is the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He was Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus from 1985 to 1994 and from 1996 to 2004, and leader of the National Unity Party. His party won the general elections in 2009 and Eroğlu became Prime Minister again.On 23 April 2010, he took the oath to become the third President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.