Talks begin

The first talks between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in 18 months got underway on Tuesday morning, lasting around 90 minutes, at the UN Protected Area (UNPA) at the old Nicosia airport.

First to arrive just after 11.30am was Dervis Eroglu who was accompanied by five aides, and his chief negotiator Kudret Ozersay.

Anastasiades arrived some five minutes later with his team, which included Chief Negotiator for the Greek Cypriots Andreas Mavroyiannis and the Director of the President’s Diplomatic Office Nicos Christodoulides.

Both men were greeted separately by UN Special Representative Lisa Buttenheim who took them inside the Good Offices Mission.

When the meeting ended Buttenheim read out the final text of the joint declaration, which contained seven points setting out the parameters for the resumption of talks.

She also said the leaders had instructed their negotiators to fix their first meeting this week. According to the joint declaration, the leaders themselves “will meet as often as needed”, and nothing will be agreed until everything is agreed.

Anastasiades will also hold a news conference on Wednesday night.

Anastasiades: This is the beginning of the end of the Cyprus problem

President Anastasiades in a statement after the first meeting starting the Cyprus talks, said that today is the beginning of the end of an undesirable situation “that has kept our island and our people divided for 40 years”.

Anastasiades said it was the desire of both leaders to reach a solution in a climate of mutual respect and understanding, that would permanently end the current unacceptable state of affairs. It would also create the conditions to live in a modern European state “which will create the conditions for coexistence, and progress by respecting the human rights of all citizens”.

“Today’s joint declaration sets the framework for the basic principles of a solution. What is necessary is the vision and determination of the leaders and the people of Cyprus to work so that trust is restored and a solution is achieved that will not leave anyone a loser,” he added.

 Addressing the Greek Cypriot parties, some of whom oppose the Joint Declaration, Anastasiades said that while he fully respected different opinions, he was calling for a response to the common desire of all Greek Cypriots to join forces for what is to come. The Joint Declaration was not the final solution but the beginning of a painstaking effort to get to the desired goals, he said.

He said he was sure that the love for our country and the patriotism of all the political forces would bring about the unity that will be needed to achieve the expectations of our people.

DIKO to decide will it go or will it stay

DIKO’s top decision-making body is to convene sometime over the next few days to review the President’s “bad” deal to resume peace talks, the party’s leader Nicolas Papadopoulos said yesterday.

Papadopoulos’ statement reinforced mounting speculation that the junior coalition partners are poised to withdraw from the government, the Cyprus Mail reports.

In the statement, Papadopoulos accused the administration of caving in to international pressure to resume reunification talks and of making concessions to the Turkish Cypriot side in the joint communique agreed by the two communities’ leaders.

“Unfortunately, the negotiations are starting on a very bad basis,” the DIKO leader said.

Papadopoulos claimed also that, in agreeing to the joint declaration, President Anastasiades has reneged on commitments made to DIKO as a precondition for a DISY-DIKO alliance on the eve of last year’s presidential elections.

The “new state of affairs” as a result of the President’s decision to engage in peace talks would be discussed at the first session of DIKO’s Executive Bureau to be convened in the coming days, the statement concluded.

DIKO has four ministers in the 11 member cabinet, and withdrawal from the government would weaken the party’s grasp on real political power, says the Cyprus Mail. However even in the event of an exit, it’s extremely unlikely that DIKO-affiliated appointees to semi-governmental organisations would also tender their resignations.

At least three of the four DIKO ministers in the government are known to be supporters of the faction aligned to Marios Garoyian – the former party leader and Papadopoulos’ adversary. Papadopoulos would therefore not be averse to seeing these ministers sent packing, but he must tread lightly. But the so-called moderate faction in DIKO still commands a presence, so Papadopoulos may not want to risk a move splitting the party.

A possible play by DIKO to leave the coalition is “touch and go,” says political commentator Louis Igoumenides. Papadopoulos’ reason for convening the Executive Bureau is to “test the waters for opposition,” he explained.

“Papadopoulos needs to consider a lot of things before making a move. He knows that, should he leave the government, he’ll have a tough time becoming the go-to guy for the anti-solution camp, because there he’s got competition from other wannabes like EDEK’s Omirou and [Giorgos] Lillikas.”

Moreover, resistance to a solution of the Cyprus problem among the public is probably not as steadfast as it was back in 2004. The prospects for economic recovery arising from a solution are something that the average person would welcome, Igoumenides opines.

And, significantly, Anastasiades has the backing of AKEL on the Cyprus issue.

It’s therefore possible that Papadopoulos might elect to stay in the government and seek to undermine the peace talks from within every chance he gets.

Anastasiades sends letter to Papadopoulos

In a likely tactical manoeuvre Anastasiades has addressed a letter to Papadopoulos picking apart the latter’s objections to the resumption of peace talks based on the joint declaration, the Cyprus Mail reports.

The lengthy letter, leaked to the media yesterday, addresses Papadopoulos’ concerns point by point. In it, the President notes that Papadopoulos’ objections are grounded in “misinterpretations” of the wording and content of the declaration. He called them “universal misconceptions” and “erroneous conclusions, saying the joint declaration had been vetted by two authoritative legal minds – James Crawford and Vaughan Lowe – whose services had been commissioned by previous Cypriot presidents.

Anastasiades even offered to explain the declaration before DIKO’s organs if so invited.

The letter was targeted more at the “doves” within DIKO rather than the Papadopoulos bloc, says Igoumenides.

Effectively Anastasiades is saying ‘Look, I haven’t broken our deal’. It’s intended to soften up opposition inside DIKO to the resumption of talks, the Cyprus Mail says quoting a political commentator.

White House: Division of Cyprus has endured far too long

President Obama and the United States welcomed the meeting today of the two Cypriot leaders, Anastasiades and Eroglu, and the renewal of negotiations on a Cyprus settlement under the auspices of the United Nations. 

“The Joint Statement agreed by the two leaders reflects a spirit of compromise and lays a solid foundation for results-oriented talks,” said a statement by the White House Press Secretary today. “The United States congratulates the two leaders for the courage and vision that enabled them to reach agreement on this important statement, which embodies key principles to guide their further work.  The United States also welcomes the constructive role played in this effort by Turkey and Greece, led by Prime Minister Erdogan and Prime Minister Samaras, as well as other international parties.”

The White House says that “the division of Cyprus has endured for far too long,” adding that through a settlement, both communities can realize their full potential, with enhanced stability and economic prosperity for all the people of the island. 

“We encourage the sides to work expeditiously to resolve the outstanding core issues and achieve a settlement that reunifies Cyprus as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation at the earliest possible time,” the statement said.

Moreover, the United States welcomes President Anastasiades’ proposal for a package of bold and innovative confidence-building measures and other constructive proposals, which have the potential, when agreed and implemented by the parties, to dramatically enhance cooperation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities and restore faith in settlement efforts. 

The statement said the United States will engage in diplomacy with all stakeholders to explore possible initiatives to reinforce settlement negotiations, including measures aimed at the future revitalization of the Famagusta region, when agreed by the two communities. 

“The United States reaffirms its support for the exercise of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus to explore and develop the resources in its off-shore zones.  We continue to believe that the island’s oil and gas resources, like all of its resources, should be equitably shared between both communities in the context of an overall settlement.  We underscore the importance of upholding peace and security in and around Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean,” the statement said. 

Finally, the United States urges all parties to avoid any threats or other actions or statements that escalate tension.

Cameron: A real opportunity for a secure and lasting settlement

“Today’s agreement is an important step forward. It provides a real opportunity to secure a lasting and comprehensive settlement and I applaud President Anastasiades and Dr Eroglu for the courage they have shown by agreeing to restart talks,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said today welcomed the agreement between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to restart talks to reunify Cyprus.

“Their joint declaration covers the form of the future federation, and parameters for negotiations between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities,” he said. “The UK fully supports efforts to reach a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement.”

“Their continued pragmatism and willingness to find a solution will be vital in the months ahead to ensure that the reunification of Cyprus becomes a reality. We will continue to fully support all Cypriots in their shared aim of a unified and prosperous island,” he concludes.

EU ready to help

President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, along with Britain and the US welcomed the start of Cyprus talks on Tuesday, the Cyprus Mail reports.

In a written statement Barroso and Van Rompuy said the Joint Declaration, laid a solid foundation for resumption of negotiations for a fair and viable comprehensive settlement of the long-standing Cyprus problem.

“This Joint Declaration should help them to swiftly address matters of substance and to achieve rapid results in the negotiations,” the statement said,

The two EU leaders also said that at the time of accession of Cyprus, the European Union declared its readiness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in line with the principles on which the Union is founded.

“As previously announced, the European Commission is keen to play its part in supporting the negotiations, conducted under UN auspices and to offer all the support the parties and the UN find most useful,” said the statement.

“As the negotiations resume, President Barroso’s personal representative will contribute actively to the search for constructive solutions in compliance with the EU acquis to overcome outstanding problems. In parallel, the European Commission will also step up its efforts to help the Turkish Cypriot Community prepare for implementation of the acquis.”

The European Union would also support efforts to reach an agreement between the two parties on a package of Confidence-Building Measures “which can help to create momentum towards a settlement to the benefit of Cypriot people”. The European Union stands ready to look creatively at how to contribute to this objective in the prospects of a final settlement.

We must become one society if solution is to succeed, says top lawyer

Lawyer Polis Polyviou speaking on CyBC chat show yesterday, said he viewed the joint declaration as the start of something new.

Polyviou, a constitutional expert, who is also on President Anastasiades’ advisor team, said the statement doesn’t contain unacceptable provisions.

“It could have been better and it could have been worse,” he said. “It forms the basis of a solution, it is acceptable as a basis for talks, because there is no other one.”

The document, he said establishes a state, not a new state, but the continuation of the existing state, and it safeguards the three provisions of sovereignty, nationality and citizenship. In the event that the solution is rejected at a referendum, things will revert to the way they were, where the recognised state is that of the Republic of Cyprus.

“My opinion is that a new round of talks starts on an acceptable basis, whereby the basic elements are secured and we must exert all our efforts for a good settlement,” he said.

He pointed out that the statement refers to sovereignty emanating equally from Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots as opposed to communities, which automatically excludes the Turkish settlers and refers to the legal inhabitants of the island. “Instead of appreciating this, we are busy fighting amongst ourselves,” he said.

He said it’s possible to take this document and interpret it in ten different ways. We can take an issue like the ‘residual’ powers and turn it into a boogeyman all by ourselves. What is important and what we have a responsibility to do, is to interpret it in a way that is most beneficial to us and in the talks to create the best form of government we can.

Mr Polyviou said that our political leadership has failed since 1977 because it didn’t tell the truth to the people.

“The solution will be painful. The question is, will it be better than no solution? We have to decide what do we want? To stay like this? My position is that we take this statement which is acceptable, it could be better but it could also be worse, we interpret it as best we possibly can, in order to promote our interests, without creating issues through which we destroy the prospects of a solution, and mislead the people,” he said.

“No one has ever told the people that the solution will be painful, that there will be limitations to human rights. But without this solution, then half of Cyprus will be lost de facto, if not de jure,” he stressed. “I believe we can achieve a lot, we need to stop whingeing, and focus on making an honourable and strong effort as there is no alternative. Then the president can tell the people this is the best that I can possibly do and put it to the people to vote.”

An important issue is that of secession. This is not a right but a possibility. If this happens and succeeds, then a new state will be created. I believe that with this statement, a legal secession is prevented because it forbids it.

“The success of the solution depends on us. The solution will be painful. There will be limitations to human rights,” he said. “If we start whingeing as we did in 1960, that we didn’t get enough, that we should have got more, then the solution will fail, whether we’re in Europe or not.”

Mr Polyvious stressed that we must forget the past to a large extent if we are to save this island and its people. “If we all turn into lawyers and patriots in a bad sense, the solution will fail.”

He said he believed that while the solution will be painful, it would be bearable and called on Greek and Turkish cypriots afterwards to organise themselves and work together in such a way as to improve the positive elements and reduce the negative elements of a solution.

“It’s the only way,” he said. “Only if civil society becomes one. We may not be a single people, but we can become one society. First we must become one country and then we should become one society.

FT: Cyprus to open fresh peace talks

An article in the Financial Times says the leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus are set to announce a fresh initiative to reunify the ethnically divided island under a federation following months of quiet diplomacy by the US aimed at achieving a broader reconciliation involving Israel, Turkey and Cyprus. This would be formed of two constituent states in which Greek and Turkish Cypriots would continue to run their own domestic affairs.

Recent discoveries of large offshore gas deposits between Cyprus and Israel that could be channelled to European markets by a pipeline through Turkey have fuelled hopes of a settlement, the paper says.

“The economic problems triggered by Cyprus’s banking collapse and bailout have badly shaken society. More people now think that a solution could be a catalyst for economic growth involving reconstruction and offshore gas development, ”said Philippos Savvides, an Athens-based commentator.

Progress on the Cypriot front would be enormously significant for Turkey – the power behind the Turkish Cypriots – at a time when the country has put renewed focus on its EU membership hopes and has signalled its interest in gas purchases from Israel.

At present both issues are complicated by the Cyprus dispute: 14 of Turkey’s 35 negotiating chapters with the EU are blocked because of tensions between Ankara and Nicosia, while the logical route for an Israeli-Turkish gas pipeline would go through Cypriot waters and could also link up with Cyprus’ own gas production.

“If there is a solution, we could open all 14 chapters, they could transport gas to Turkey, there would be so many positive aspects.” said a Turkish official.

“The Greek Cypriots need a positive result for the economy as well.”

He argued that the joint statement could pave the way to a final deal in coming months, because the two sides “have basically agreed on the core issues” in the text.

In a related development, diplomats say Turkey and Israel are close to agreeing the compensation terms over the deaths of nine Turkish activists killed by the Israel Defence Forces in 2010. Such an agreement would allow Israel and Turkey to exchange ambassadors once again and greatly facilitate Turkish-Israeli energy co-operation, as part of the new energy map of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey is also keen to improve relations with the EU, its major source of investment, finance and export markets, in the light of a corruption scandal that has strained ties with the West and highlighted the country’s dependence on hot money.

But Hugh Pope at the International Crisis Group in Istanbul said there were still long odds against a deal. “The fact is that we have had four decades of talks, five major rounds and none of them have managed to get very far,” he said, adding that trade between the two sides was diminishing and that there “was no sign that popular opinion is interested in coming together”.

Mr Pope hailed plans for Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators to travel to Ankara and Athens respectively and the Cypriot government’s preparedness “to have a much lighter federation than the previous government aimed at”.

But he added: “Currently there isn’t any change in the parameters on the table that would make one believe there is a miracle about to happen.”

Downer steps down

UN Special Envoy Alexander Downer is stepping down as the UN Secretary-General’s special adviser, Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, the Cyprus Mail reports.

In a statement welcoming the resumption of Cyprus talks, Ban said: “I also recognise the indispensable role played by my Special Adviser Mr. Alexander Downer to this point, beginning from his appointment in September 2008. Mr. Downer has informed me that now that the joint communique has been achieved, he has decided to take up a new position and step down as my Special Adviser. I thank him sincerely for his perseverance and commitment over the past five and a half years, and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

In a separate statement minutes later, Downer himself did not refer to his stepping down but said he welcomed the finalisation of a joint communiqué and the formal relaunch of the talks.

“I commend the leaders for their commitment to resuming negotiations and working towards the successful conclusion to the Cyprus problem,” said Downer. “I urge the sides to embrace the fact that it is in their interest to bridge their differences, agree on a common vision of the future between the two communities and conclude negotiations to achieve that vision.”

He said the UN would continue to support and encourage both parties “as they take this step together”, so as to reunify the island for the benefit of all Cypriots.

Ban also commended the leaders for their commitment to resuming negotiations “and for their hard work in the past months to reach what is an important statement of shared principles and invaluable basis for renewed talks”.
“The United Nations will continue to support the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in their efforts to reunify the island and move on from decades of separation. I personally pledge our resolute commitment to these efforts,” said Ban.

Turkey says we will not go back

“A new era for Cyprus” is Kibris’ headline covering yesterday’s meeting of the two leaders. The paper adds that Erdogan has also made a statement saying “we will not go back” and that he expects the negotiations to conclude with a settlement of the Cyprus problem. The Turkish Foreign Ministry also expressed its satisfaction and support for the process.