DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING CYPRUS

Cyprus came to the forefront of the international community’s agenda with the diplomatic initiative taken by Turkey in January 2004 for the resumption of negotiations between the parties on the Island with a view to reaching a comprehensive settlement in this long pending issue.

The political resolve demonstrated by Turkey for a settlement paved the way for a renewed initiative by the former UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan.

The object of the consequent round of intense negotiations held under UN auspices first on the Island from 19 February to 22 March 2004 between the two parties and then subsequently in Burgenstock, Switzerland between 24-31 March 2004 with the participation of also both motherlands Turkey and Greece , was to finalize the Annan Plan for submission to separate simultaneous referenda on both sides of the Island prior to May 1st so that, depending on the outcome of the referenda, the opportunity could be seized for a united Cyprus to accede to the Union.

The final revised version of the Annan Plan for a comprehensive settlement, presented to the parties on 31 March by the Secretary General was submitted to simultaneous but separate referenda in the North and South of Cyprus on 24 April 2004. While not fully addressing all their concerns and expectations, the Turkish Cypriots, for the sake of a compromise and settlement, overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Annan Plan by casting 65% of their votes for a settlement that would also provide for the accession of a united Island to the EU. However, ironically the Greek Cypriots, while the side to reject a solution with a ‘No’ vote of 76%, acceded to the EU on May 1st. This accession upset the balance in the Island and an important opportunity to end the division of Cyprus was missed as a consequence.

Turkey has consistently advocated a freely negotiated, comprehensive and viable settlement in Cyprus. It has placed its full support behind the UN Secretary General’s good offices mission and cooperated closely with him in the entire process leading up to the referenda, thereby, demonstrating its political will to bring an end to the division of the Island. Such a solution, if it had been accepted, would have permitted for the unification of the Island under the banner of a United Cyprus Republic with a federal government and two equal constituent states, namely that of the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots.

The outcome of the referenda has created a new state of affairs. The international community went on record that the Turkish Cypriots who courageously affirmed their support for a settlement should not be unduly penalized for the way the vote went on the other side of the Island, where the Greek Cypriots in fact “rejected the solution itself rather than the mere plan”, as noted in the UN Secretary General’s report on his mission of good-offices in Cyprus, issued on 28 May 2004.

By supporting the comprehensive plan of the UN Secretary General, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots fulfilled their responsibilities towards finding a comprehensive settlement to the problem, within the good offices mission of the Secretary General. It is now up to the international community to bring an end to the political, economic, social and cultural isolation that the Turkish Cypriots have been subjected to and to take decisive steps to lift the unjust economic embargo imposed for decades.

The UN Secretary General in his above mentioned report stated that “in the aftermath of the vote, the situation of the Turkish Cypriots calls for the attention of the international community as a whole, including the Security Council” and that “the Turkish Cypriot vote has undone any rationale for pressuring and isolating them”. The Secretary General also called on the members of the Security Council to give a strong lead to all States to cooperate both bilaterally and in international bodies to eliminate unnecessary restrictions and barriers that have the effect of isolating the Turkish Cypriots and impeding their development. The Security Council has yet to act on this report.

Following the referenda, the EU and several international bodies such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) alongside a number of countries on a bilateral basis, have made some efforts for the elimination of the unjust embargo and restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. However, it has not been possible to break the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots or to heal the wounds of their bitter past experiences. The core reason behind this situation, undoubtedly, is the negative stance of the Greek Cypriot side that has been obstructing all positive steps to improve the situation of the Turkish Cypriots by exploiting its EU membership.

In this context, while the EU committed itself to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots with its decision of 26 April 2004, the Regulations for financial assistance and direct trade drafted by the Commission have not produced any tangible results, as the former has yet to be implemented and the latter remains to be adopted by the Union.

On 30 May 2005, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül unveiled a new proposal for the removal of all restrictions at the same time by all concerned as yet another concrete overture for paving the way to a just, durable and comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. The details of this initiative were brought to the attention of the international community through a letter addressed to the UN Secretary General and circulated to the international community as an official document of the UN. Minister Gül reiterated his proposal at his address to the General Assembly on 21 September 2005. The main thrust of this proposal is to remove inter-island restrictions on the free movement of people, goods and services, as well as to and from both sides of Cyprus. Had this package offer fallen on receptive ears, it would not only have served to integrate the Turkish Cypriots with the world but also permit for Greek Cypriot vessels and airplanes to enter Turkish sea and air ports.

Undaunted by the persistent Greek Cypriot intransigence, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots took yet another initiative on Cyprus in January 2006 and proposed an “action plan” with an aim to bring about a transitional process, under the guidance of the UN Secretary General, which would facilitate economic development through practical arrangements, until a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus question is found. These practical arrangements envisaged, under an established timetable, the removal of all obstacles to the free movement of goods, persons and services, including restrictions on means of transport and provided the two parties in Cyprus with a perspective for a gradual harmonization in practical implementation of the EU Customs Union.

This was also followed by a proposal of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat to address bilaterally at the technical level the various issues that affect the daily lives of the Turkish and Greek Cypriots. This in turn led to the agreement facilitated by the UN of 8 July 2006 to initiate a process between the two sides on the island to concurrently take up issues pertaining to day to day life in Technical Committees and substantive matters of a comprehensive settlement in Working Groups to be established. This process however has been deadlocked due to the tactical and obstructive ploys of the Greek Cypriot side.

Turkey is opposed to the attempts to side line the UN and carry the issue to other fora. While the efforts of the Secretary General to revive the talks have yielded no tangible results so far due to the continued intransigence of the Greek Cypriot Administration, Turkey together with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue to support efforts under the auspices of the UN towards a lasting and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem based on the long established UN parameters such as bi-zonality, political equality, equal status and a new partnership. Turkey will actively pursue its endeavors to this end and trusts that the new UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon will accord due priority to this issue in the period ahead.