Christofias and Talat 'condemned' to finding a solution

Former Cypriot President George Vassiliou has said he is more convinced than ever before that Christofias and Talat “are condemned to finding a political settlement”. Vassiliou, who is currently head of the working group on EU issues at the talks, also said that substantial progress has already been achieved.

In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) to mark the end of the first round of direct negotiations, which started in September last year, he said that “it is wrong to say that the community leaders are wasting their time. For the first time frank negotiations are being held”.“I hope that in the second phase of the talks, which begins in early September, more progress will be achieved until we get to the give-and-take phase. It could be this year, on the other hand it may not be,” he said.

Asked about the Turkish Cypriot position that an agreement could be reached by the end of this year to hold a referendum in the beginning of 2010, Vasiliou said: “This can be done but it’s up to them. If they come to the negotiating table with acceptable to us and reasonable views, then we can reach a solution even in October,” he said.

The former President firmly believes that the benefits of a solution far outweigh the fallout of a non-solution.Tourism would increase, so would investment, he said. There would be compensation, and foreign assistance would pour into the country for its reconstruction, something that would give the economy a boost. “Every Cypriot has to understand the benefits he will have from a solution,” said Vassiliou.

On the other hand If there is no solution, he said, in years to come the Turkish Cypriot identity will cease to exist as such and the Greek Cypriots could continue to live with just the hope of a solution without an actual solution.Vasiliou believes that progress has been achieved on EU matters because the Turkish Cypriots “have realised, after a lot of discussion, that this cannot be negotiable”.The fundamental values of the EU such as the four freedoms cannot change because these form the foundations of Europe, he said. The issue of guarantees was irrelevant at present since Cyprus is a member of the EU but Vassiliou said this issue should be settled within Europe.

A Cyprus solution, he said would benefit Turkey as well, which is facing financial difficulties and understands fully that the Cyprus problem is an obstacle to the role of mediator it wishes to have in the region. "Anybody who believes that in December Cyprus will put Turkey inthe dock is mistaken. The EU does not function in this way", he said. “If there is no possibility of reaching an immediate agreement in Cyprus, then they will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or break off its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.