Serdar Denktaş: Buffer Zone Could Become a Joint Living and Trading Area

Speaking as a guest on the "Günaydın Kıbrıs" program with Serhat İncirli, Denktaş made remarks that are likely to spark debate. He emphasized the need for innovative, reasonable, and contemporary proposals that prioritize bringing people together in the resolution of the Cyprus issue, which has been thoroughly discussed for 50 years.

Denktaş stated, "Our priority should not be to take steps based on politically imposed measures. The 1960 Republic was not established through agreement or referendum; it was an imposed solution and lasted for 3 years. A political approach does not receive the same response among the people. Therefore, we should first generate proposals where peoples will collaborate, merge, and form partnerships."

Asserting that he has been working on certain initiatives in this regard, Denktaş explained that his proposals are based on positioning Maraş as a free trade zone, expanding the buffer zone from both sides, and establishing a joint living and trading area.

Denktaş further emphasized that focusing on a collaborative approach and developing joint economic activities, rather than political approaches and recognition, is much healthier and more enduring. He elaborated, "Creating economic attractiveness in the buffer zone will increase the desire of both sides to be present there and motivate people to live together. If these economic and social opportunities are presented to the people of both sides, and if people start to develop businesses, form partnerships, and share social spaces here, then political solutions will naturally follow."

Responding to the question of whether the Greek Cypriot side would accept this proposal, Denktaş said, "That is a decision for the Greek Cypriot side. We should not act based on whether they will accept it or not. When we opened the checkpoints unilaterally, we received positive results. Subsequently, other crossing points were opened. Now, crossings are progressing smoothly, and both sides are engaging in trade and spending time together without issues. At that time, this issue was a significant threshold, but it held and gained acceptance. Now, we need to present innovative, creative proposals that will motivate the peoples of both sides. Our work on this matter is nearing completion."

Source: Kanal SİM