EU supports the peace process

The European Union has called on Turkey to clearly commit to the establishment of good neighbourly relations and to the peaceful resolution of disputes, while expressing regret for the lack of progress in smoothing out Ankara’s relations with Cyprus, the non-implementation of the customs union Protocol and the hampering of Cyprus’ accession to international organisations.

These provisions were included in the text of a joint statement of the 27 EU member states presented by the Slovenian Presidency of the EU to the Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, yesterday in the framework of the EU-Turkey Association Council.

President Christofias expressed satisfaction at the joint position of the EU member states and called on Turkey to align itself with these positions.

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Mr Olli Rehn, in a speech at a meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, in Brussels, welcomed last Friday’s meeting between Christofias and Talat and noted that it is positive sign that the leaders agree on the basic parameters of a united Cyprus. “Their joint statement shows that the process towards a settlement of the Cyprus issue under UN auspices is well underway”, he said, and encouraged the leaders to continue their efforts to end the deadlock.

“The EU stands behind a renewed UN process. We shall fully support both communities on the island to make the necessary compromises. I trust Turkey will fully contribute to a solution. Reaching a comprehensive settlement will have an immense value to all of us who want to see an end to this 40-year-old conflict on a European soil, and it will certainly have a positive effect on the negotiations with Turkey”, he said.

Presidential Commissioner, George Iacovou, is on a one-day visit to Athens where he met with the Greek Foreign Minister, Mrs Dora Bakoyiannis. Mr Iacovou told the press afterwards that the purpose of his visit was to brief the Foreign Minister on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, through the process that has been adopted since March. He added that the meeting was both friendly and very productive and was looking forward to Ms Bakoyiannis visit to Cyprus on 13 June to continue their exchange of views.

Disy leader Nicos Anastasiades yesterday crossed to the north and met for the first time with the President of the National Unity Party, Tahsin Ertugruloglu. Their meeting lasted three hours. Afterwards Ertugruloglu told the press that while this was their first meeting it surely would not be their last and that while they may have their differences of opinion in the Cyprus problem this should not keep them from talking in an effort to find common ground. He said they were both in opposition but they both wanted to see a lasting and fair solution based on the realities on the island. He said his party supported a solution through talks and through the good offices mission of the UN. He said he was pleased that the first party to come over was the main opposition party and added that dialogue between different parties can only help the solution.

Mr Anastasiades said that their meeting had been constructive, but that they had different views as to the kind of state that should come out of a solution. He added that while both their parties were in opposition the difference was that his party supported Mr Christofias’ efforts, whereas Mr Ertugruloglu’s didn’t support Talat but that what mattered was that the country would be reunited within the EU to the benefit of both communities.

Mr Ertuguloglu then clarified that while his party did support the negotiating process that had begun but disagreed with Talat’s positions. He also expressed his doubts that Mr Christofias was really trying to delay the process rather than seeking to prepare it better.

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, gave an interview yesterday in Brussels to the Associated Press and said he was still optimistic that the face to face talks will start next month and that a solution to the Cyprus problem will be reached by the end of the year. He noted that he was really optimistic that the differences between the two sides will be overcome and direct negotiations will begin, because “there is a change on the Greek Cypriot side”. Kibris also reports that Mr Talat met yesterday with Mr Dimitrij Rupel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovenian presidency of the EU, at whose invitation he was in the European capital. He was also due to meet with Javier Solana.

Alithia’s editorial says that the attacks that were unleashed against the joint statement between Christofias and Talat showed the ignorance of the perpetrators of basic constitutional issues. The reference to two constituent states under a federal umbrella does not abolish either sovereignty, the notion of a single international entity and a single nationality. Besides the content and form of the bizonal federation that Cyprus will have has been clearly interpreted by the Security Council. The recent TV chat shows have shown that the attack against the joint statement has not succeeded in reuniting the rejectionist camp. Quite the opposite, it has fragmented it further. Some people, however, have chosen to put on the mask of political hypocrisy because even they acknowledge that Christofias is acting correctly, something that even Omirou and Garoyian have admitted after the briefing they received from the President.

Simerini says that it seems President Christofias has so far managed to appease the reactions caused by the joint statement after his meeting with Talat. Both the Presidents of Diko and Edek made positive statements after he briefed them, which may have lowered tensions but haven’t removed their worries. So, what with the support of Disy and the support of the leadership of Diko and Edek, Christofias can feel strong enough to proceed. He should know, however, that he’s on borrowed time, and that as he gets to the heart of the Cyprus issue, the slightest compromise he should make on issues that are non-negotiable for the G/C side, will be a cause for war for many G/Cs. The new dialogue does not offer much hope of success. Bitter experience has taught us that Turkey will not give in on issues that we consider life and death for our cause.