Turkey holds the key, says President

For the first time since the Turkish invasion, Greek Cypriots will have the opportunity to negotiate with those who bear responsibility for a solution of the Cyprus problem, President Nicos Anastasiades said yesterday, the Cyprus Mail reports.

Speaking during a live televised press conference, Anastasiades welcomed Turkey’s positive response to his proposal for the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiators to visit Ankara and Athens respectively.

He expressed the hope that this will be followed by practical and meaningful steps and a generally constructive stance of good faith, which will effectively contribute to finding a solution.

The proposal was formulated in full coordination with the Greek government, he said and rubbished fears that Greece and Cyprus had inadvertently opened the door to a “two-party, three-party, four-party or multi-party conference”.

“The problem of Cyprus was never bicommunal in nature. It is not about the differences between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. What divided the country was the invasion and continued occupation, therefore our interlocutors should not only be our Turkish Cypriot compatriots,” he said.

He added: “Moreover, it is the long-standing position of all that the Cyprus problem should be returned to its correct basis, as a problem of invasion and occupation.”

The latest agreement on the two negotiators visiting separately the guarantor powers does not undermine the Cyprus Republic, but on the contrary enhances it, he argued.

“In my opinion, Turkey as an occupying power holds the key to a solution. It cannot stay away from the dialogue, merely listening to others urging it to help resolve the problem.”

During his meetings in Washington and New York, which included talks with US Vice President Joe Biden and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Anastasiades said he made it clear that “the timing of the launch of negotiations is not as important as adequately preparing for them”.

He said the talks should have a clear basis, goals and objectives, in order to create a new impetus and hope for effective dialogue.

He called on Turkey to take “bold” steps like opening Varosha to its lawful inhabitants.

Not only would this give hope for a solution, but the reconstruction process would “undoubtedly lead to new jobs in a number of sectors, giving a great boost to the economy”.

Meanwhile, Greek and Turkish Cypriots would come closer together through cooperation in the reconstruction of the town that has been sealed off for the last 39 years, thereby highlighting the benefits that could come from a common future of prosperity, he said.

Anastasiades warned of the dangers of time passing without a solution and pointed to the alienation of Greek Cypriot properties through the increasing number of applications for compensation to the immoveable property commission in the north.

He noted that a report has been prepared by members of the National Council on the matter which includes a package of proposals on how to deal with the issue.

Anastasiades said the Greek Cypriot negotiating team was preparing a comprehensive solution outline which it would submit at the talks in due time.

The president said he planned to visit Athens in the coming days to meet with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and exchange views on their recent US trips.

Matters of national importance are not dealt with through “bombastic” statements but rather through responsible political decisions, he said.

“In my view, the time has finally come when collective consultation, maturity and understanding must prevail. It is not through exaggerated declarations that major national matters are dealt with, but through responsible political decisions”.

He promised he would brief the people at regular intervals as to developments and that he would speak the language of truth rather than complacency, even if that does not make him likable.

The President also briefed the National Council yesterday on his contacts in New York and Washington and on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

Contacts begin

The Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators Osman Ertug and Andreas Mavrogiannis held a two-hour meeting yesterday, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar reports.

Speaking to the Turkish Cypriot news agency after the meeting, Ertug stated that they worked on the initial statement that will be announced by the two Cypriot leaders after their meeting to be held in October. He also stated that the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, will arrive on the island today and that he will meet with Eroglu on October 4. Ertug also said that Downer will have separate meetings with him and his team and with Mavrogiannis’ team and that he is also planning to meet with Ertug and Mavrogiannis over a meal. He also said that before coming to Cyprus, Downer will hold contacts in Greece.