Turkey not manipulating Cyprus peace talks

Turkey is displaying a largely hands-off attitude to the current Cyprus negotiations, according to Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Emine Çolak. Turkey's stance at the moment is devoid of any manipulation or interference, she says Ankara is allowing the two sides in the Cyprus dispute to pursue negotiations to unify the island in peace, according to the north's foreign minister.

"Turkey is not intervening or trying to manipulate or being part of specific content that are being discussed between our leaders," said Emine Çolak, the territory's first female minister. "I get the feeling that they are thinking that if the Turkish Cypriots are able to reach a consensus, that would be okay with [Turkey]."

How do you feel about being the first woman minister?

Of course it is a source of pride both for my country and for women in general, as I have a history of being active in both human rights and gender equality issues. It is important to me both to fulfill this role as best as I can as a foreign minister and also to be, if I can, a role model to all women.

How would you define the current state of affairs in the peace talks?

In one word, I would say hopeful. There is a positive climate, in which there are active, frequent, constructive negotiations. The issues are being discussed and, as far as possible, convergence is being secured.

There is good speed; we can see that progress is being made. 

To what do you attribute this change in the climate?

Our current leader [Mustafa Ak?nc?] immediately moved after being elected to deliver his campaign promise to do his utmost in the negotiations. The Greek Cypriots' leader [Nikos Anastasiades] is also someone more positive compared to past...