Denktaş ‘will lobby for direct flights’
SERDAR Denktaş will lobby for direct flights between the TRNC and Azerbaijan if he is elected as the next president.
Mr Denktaş, an independent candidate in tomorrow’s vote, said during a TV interview this week that his first overseas trips if he wins would be to Ankara and Baku.
He said that direct flights to and from Azerbaijan existed in 2003 and that he would try to reinstate them if he becomes the next TRNC leader.
“Diplomatic efforts should be made [for direct flights between North Cyprus and Azerbaijan] until the end of the day,” he said.
He also called for a “brand new Constitution” because the current one, approved in 1985, is “too detailed and causes unprofitableness”.
“Considering this, a new system should be contemplated,” he said. “The Constitution should be practical and include the articles for faulty acts. In order to achieve this, a peaceful environment should be created for dialogue between the community. I believe in myself on this.”
Mr Denktaş said that he would hold discussions with the Greek Cypriots to allow direct trade between Turkey and South Cyprus.
“With an amendment to the Green Line regulations, the gates to Turkey could be opened to South Cyprus via ourselves,” he said.
“Rather than transporting goods via Greece to South Cyprus, Turkey could transport them via North Cyprus, and vice versa. We should talk to the Greek Cypriots and show them this opportunity. If we cannot live united, we can live together.”
Mr Denktaş also indicated that a “common objective” should be formed between the TRNC and Turkey, adding: “We should support our steps on Cyprus and in the Mediterranean. Plans of 50 years are not and will not be accepted by the Greek Cypriots.”
On the topic of Maraş, Mr Denktaş said the area could act as a “joint zone for trading and businesses, thus contributing to both economies”.
“We have the right to a 50 per cent stake in resources in all areas,” he said. “We have the right to speak on issues of the Eastern Mediterranean.”
In a separate TV interview, Mr Denktaş said that the presidential elections will herald the start of a “new Denktaş period and new times”.
MR DENKTAŞ became the first presidential candidate to sign a gay rights pledge this week, according to the Cyprus Queer Association.
The “LGBTI+ protocol” calls on all candidates in the presidential election to promise to put issues such as “sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression” on the agenda if elected.