Efforts continuing behind the scenes

The Cyprus Mail reports that  efforts to resume the peace talks are ongoing with the US playing a much more active role, in an attempt to bridge the gap between the Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and Turkey on the draft text of the joint communiqué.

The US Ambassador in Cyprus John Koenig is believed to be acting as a go-between, sending messages from Ankara to the Presidential Palace in Nicosia and back on the draft text.

Koenig and to a lesser degree British High Commissioner Matthew Kidd have taken on a greater role in the peace effort in recent months, in contrast to the more subdued presence of the US and UK the previous five years.

The two diplomats are in frequent contact with President Anastasiades, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer while the foreign secretaries of both the US and the UK, John Kerry and William Hague, have had direct contact with the Turkish leadership in Ankara to specifically discuss efforts to conclude on a joint communiqué.

The heightened diplomatic activity between Nicosia and Ankara has troubled Eroglu, who was at pains to stress that the Turkish Cypriots are the ones calling the shots, in close cooperation with the “motherland”, Turkey.

According to the paper’s sources, the Turkish government and Eroglu do not always see eye to eye on the peace talks, with Ankara’s positions believed to be more aligned with those of Turkish Cypriot foreign minister Ozdil Nami.

Turkey’s high-level involvement in the talks was made clear when Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu visited Eroglu on December 14, the same day a new draft proposal on the joint communiqué was submitted to the UN.

Anastasiades rejected the draft and sent back a revised version which Eroglu rejected. Efforts continue to find a middle ground on the wording of the joint communiqué.

Following a rare invite, Eroglu went to Ankara on January 15 to meet with the Turkish leadership and discuss the Cyprus problem, the immoveable property commission in the north and economic issues.

On Thursday, Turkish Cypriot prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu and Nami were also in Ankara to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.

Yorgancioglu returns to the north today, accompanied by Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs Veysel Eroglu and Energy Minister Taner Yildiz.

The three ministers will attend a ceremony in occupied Kyrenia on Saturday where a foundation stone will be laid to mark the installation of infrastructure to receive a water pipeline connecting Turkey with the occupied areas.

According to a Turkish Water Ministry announcement, the necessary infrastructure will cost 123 million Turkish Lira (€40m) and include a water purifier, which will purify 200,000 cubic metres of water daily, and a pipeline from Kyrenia to Nicosia. Also, 160km of water distribution pipes will be installed in the Kyrenia area.

The ministry notes that on completion of the project, 75 million cubic metres of water a year will be transported to the north, of which 50.3 per cent will be potable and 49.7 per cent used for irrigation purposes. The project is expected to cover the needs of the north for the next 50 years, said the announcement.

UNFICYP renewed

The UN Security Council (UNSC) yesterday unanimously approved a resolution renewing the mandate of UNFICYP for a further six months.

The Security Council expressed disappointment that official negotiations have yet to start and calls on the sides to agree in a meaningful way to move forward as soon as possible.

The key to saving our country

Former President George Vassiliou in an article in the papers yesterday refers to the dire economic situation on the island and says that the only hope we have of changing things is through a solution of the Cyprus problem.

He paints a bleak picture of the current economic situation in Cyprus referring to forecasts by the European Commission of a contraction of GDP by 3.9 per cent and of the University of Cyprus by 8.0 per cent, a budget deficit of 8.4 per cent, unemployment of close to 20 per cent and 40 per cent for the young.

However, the required liquidity to overturn the situation, he says, is not there, as the banks, faced with continuously rising NPLs and falling deposits, are unable to give loans to businesses and finance development projects.

“As for the hope – entertained by many – that all these problems would be solved by the billions expected from natural gas, it is, at least for now, proving a midsummer night’s dream,” he adds.

The only way to change things, he says, is through the resumption of talks on the Cyprus problem, not in order to continue interminable negotiations but to secure a settlement in the next few months.

“This aim could be achieved because it will have the full support of the UN, the EU and the big powers and could result, in a short period of time in the re-unification of our country,” he adds.

Vasiliou goes on to dismiss the oft heard argument that ‘foreigners’ want to exploit the economic crisis in order to impose a settlement that would be in their interests, saying this argument lacks seriousness, as “the Cyprus issue ceased being a concern of the big powers a long time ago.”

He says a settlement would drastically change the perception of Cyprus abroad, showing that it is as safe a country as any other member-states of the EU.

In addition a solution would allow Cyprus to become a member of the Schengen area, protecting it from the uncontrolled entry of foreign nationals and settlers. It would also attract people wanting to buy expensive houses or invest in the economy with a view to securing a residence permit and being able to travel without difficulty within the EU.

Mr Vasiliou also referred to the fears of secession of a Turkish Cypriot federal state amongs Greek Cypriots.

“I am not under the illusion that Mr Eroglu would ever stop supporting the two-state principle. But this should not frighten us because the EU, of which we are a full member, would never countenance its breaking up into hundreds of state entities,” he said, pointing to how the financial crisis has resulted closer ties among Eurozone members.

“Not even Turkey would support secession because she knows very well that a) it is unattainable and b) if Turkey insisted she would be internationally isolated and face huge economic and political problems,” he stressed.

Concluding he said we should make the most of the opportunities we have  to restart  the talks and do our utmost for their speedy conclusion.

According to Politis, informal efforts are being undertaken to reach an agreement on a joint statement between the two sides in Cyprus, through the US ambassador who is to-ing and fro-ing between the two sides.

The paper says that the two sides are again within a whisker of an agreement on a statement that secures the ‘three singles’ (single sovereignty, nationality, and international identity), while at the same time also satisfying the Turkish Cypriot desires for internal checks and balances within a federation.

Erdogan and the EU

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan drew a chorus of criticism from Cypriot politicians yesterday over his statement in Brussels that Turkey will only accept a federal solution based on “two founding states” on the island, the Cyprus Mail reports.

Erdogan made the comment during a joint press briefing with European Parliament, President Martin Schulz on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Erdogan said during his visit to Brussels that he refused to listen to proposals for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus, noting that this was offered in the Annan plan ten years ago but was rejected by the Greek Cypriots.

He added it had been a mistake to let Cyprus join the EU after the Annan plan rejection.

On the current peace talks, he claimed Turkey has always been constructive in its support to the Turkish Cypriots, calling on Greece to do the same with the Greek Cypriots.

“Our fundamental principle is a federal structure based on two founding states. The acceptance of anything outside this is in any case out of the question,” he was quoted by Turkish Cypriot media as saying.

For his part, Schulz said that the Republic of Cyprus had joined the EU representing the entire island, and called on Erdogan to accept this situation.

Earlier in the day, the heads of the European Commission and Council, Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, both called on Erdogan to help push a Cyprus solution forward.

Phileleftheros reported on Wednesday that the Turkish PM had asked the heads of the EU institutions to work on lifting Cyprus’ veto on opening accession negotiation chapters 23 on the judiciary and fundamental rights, and 24 on justice, freedom and security.

Moreover, Sabah newspaper reports that on his return to Turkey, Erdogan said that a solution to the Cyprus problem depends entirely on Mr Anastasiades.

“He is under the pressure of the church and radicals. If he manages to get through them, progress can be made.”

Responding to Erdogan’s statement, DIKO said his statements should help bring down to earth those wishful thinkers who believe Erdogan wants a solution, a sentiment echoed by EVROKO which called on Greek Cypriots to put an end to the illusion that Ankara is ready to cooperate for a bizonal federation, arguing that the ‘bizonal’ element is being used to firmly establish partition and two ethnic states in Cyprus.

House President and EDEK leader Yiannakis Omirou said Erdogan’s “performance of intransigence and provocation” in Brussels once again revealed Turkey’s true intentions.

Greens leader Giorgos Perdikis called on the political leadership to take its head out of the sand: “Mr Erdogan could not have been clearer. And the fact his statements were made in the heart of the EU have even greater weight.”

Citizens’ Alliance leader Giorgos Lillikas said President Nicos Anastasiades’ policy to appease Turkey with concessions on the joint communiqué and in opening new accession chapters has “collapsed like a house of cards”.

For its part, ruling DISY said that it categorically rejected the notion that any kind of federal solution would come about from two “founding states”.

On Tuesday both the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, speaking at a joint news conference with Erdogan, pointed to the urgent need to find a Cyprus solution, adding that it would have a positive outcome on Turkey’s EU course.

Erdogan said Turkey was committed to progress on Cyprus. “We will continue in this direction, hoping that there will be a positive approach on behalf of southern Cyprus, because this would be beneficial for all, for Cyprus, and for Turkey as an EU candidate country,” Erdogan said.

President Nicos Anastasiades, pre-empting Erdogan’s visit to the Belgian capital, had spoken by phone with Van Rompuy on Monday, and on Tuesday  with Barroso plus European Parliament President Martin Schulz to brief them on efforts to reach a deal on the joint statement aimed at kickstarting the talks.

Turkish Cypriots to be able to vote

The Council of Ministers today approved an amendment to the electoral law, whereby all citizens of the Republic living in the north will be automatically included on the electoral lists.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said this decision is related to the participation of Turkish Cypriots at the forthcoming European elections.

“It is an equal treatment of all citizens of the Republic”, he said, adding that the bill will be sent to the House for approval.  

Downer farewell visit?

UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer yesterday met with the two sides’ negotiators for what appeared to be a final round of contacts before he briefs the UN Security Council next week on the failure to agree on a joint declaration, the Cyprus Mail reports.

Speaking after his meeting with the UN official, Turkish Cypriot negotiator Osman Ertug said the only proposal on the table for a joint declaration was the one submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side on December 14.

According to reports, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu passed on the draft text to Downer during his brief visit to the occupied north.

Four days later, the Greek Cypriots sent a counter-proposal with some small changes to the text which the Turkish Cypriots rejected on December 28, in the process making it clear that the December 14 proposal was their final offer.

In effect, Ertug yesterday reconfirmed the Turkish Cypriot side’s rejection of the Greek Cypriot counter-proposal. He maintained that the Turkish Cypriot proposal had the support of all stakeholders on the Turkish side and expressed the hope the Greek Cypriots could be convinced to accept it, the paper continues.

He repeated the view that the Turkish Cypriots are ready to start negotiations without any preconditions or a joint declaration.

According to a Greek Cypriot source, Downer’s meeting with negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis focused on “procedural” issues on the next steps forward.

The source said the Greek Cypriots are keen to continue efforts for a joint declaration, noting however, that no further meeting has been scheduled with Downer.

Mavroyiannis and Downer briefly discussed the proposal of President Nicos Anastasiades for a shorter, simpler joint declaration to get the ball rolling in the peace talks, though the chances appear slim as the Turkish Cypriot side is reportedly not warm on the idea of embarking on a similar process to the one they have engaged in for the last three months.

It is believed that Downer will leave Cyprus tomorrow ahead of his briefing of the UN Security Council next Wednesday on the peace talks.

Special Representative Lisa Buttenheim will also brief the UNSC on the same day regarding peacekeeping operations on the island, while by the end of the month the Security Council is expected to vote on the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate.

The source noted that it did not seem likely Downer would hang around for a meeting with the two leaders on the island.

Anastasiades left Cyprus on Tuesday for an official visit to London and is not due back until tomorrow, while Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu is in Turkey for meetings with the Turkish leadership, an invite he has not enjoyed for some time.

According to the paper’s sources, Downer cancelled a meeting with Anastasiades originally scheduled for last Monday after hearing statements made by the president to Antenna TV channel and Politis newspaper where he accused the Australian of bias.

Anastasiades bemoaned the lack of impartiality shown by Downer, accused him of failing to protect and promote UNSC resolutions and questioned whether he had anything left to contribute to the process.

Sources told the Cyprus Mail that Downer was less than amused by the president’s criticism and wanted to make a point by not seeing him on Monday.

Other diplomatic sources questioned why Anastasiades decided to launch a personal attack on Downer and make him a scapegoat of the failed process. The president has effectively joined the majority of political parties in suggesting Downer needs to leave his post, only he has yet to put it in such clear words, like some of the smaller parties do.

One source argued that had Anastasiades left things alone, in a sober assessment of the process, Eroglu would come out looking “difficult”. But with the latest attack on Downer and numerous letters sent to the UN Secretary-General by Anastasiades, the international community - some of whom put huge effort in trying to conclude a joint declaration - are left somewhat frustrated regarding his intentions for a solution, argued the source.

It remains to be seen what Downer will choose to focus on when briefing the UNSC next week and whether he apportions any responsibility for the failure to resume fully-fledged peace talks.

Of course, there is always the possibility, however remote, that the two sides will overcome the impasse before Downer’s briefing to the Security Council, the paper concludes.

Politis newspaper today said that Downer was planning to take on the post of head of the Australian High Commission in London. But the UN issued a statement saying that Mr Downer had no intention of leaving his post as Special Advisor on Cyprus and in fact had renewed his contract for a further six months.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika also  reports that Downer will be leaving and that this is his farewell visit.  

Citing diplomatic sources, Afrika says that, according to Downer, “Cyprus has been the most difficult problem I have dealt with.”

Kibris adds that the reason Downer is leaving is the criticism against him by the Greek Cypriot side and especially by President Anastasiades. The source argued that Anastasiades’ statement to ANT1 television was the “last straw” as well as the fact that Greek Cypriot political parties said that Downer had lost their trust in him.

According to information acquired by the paper, Downer has been appointed to the post of the Australian High Commissioner to London.

National Council takes no decisions

The National Council yesterday discussed the latest efforts in the peace talks and measures to curb the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in the north, without concluding on either, the Cyprus Mail reports.

According to government spokesman Christos Stylianides, decisions on both issues have been deferred to later this month, when the Council meets again on January 24.

Stylianides told reporters after the Council meeting that UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer was due to meet with Anastasiades on Monday.

“The solution to the Cyprus problem is the basis of the political philosophy of this government. That is why we do not accept the attribution of any blame to our side when we have show that we are doing our utmost so that a substantive dialogue can start,” he said.

He did not rule out the prospect of a meeting in New York between the two leaders and the UN S-G saying that for the Greek Cypriots, the aim was the resumption of talks in any format, so long as the basis for a solution is clear, and there are prospects for substantive dialogue leading to a successful conclusion.

He dismissed comments by opposition AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou that the government had wasted four months on experimentations in the peace talks.

EDEK leader Yiannakis Omirou and Greens leader Giorgos Perdikis came out of the meeting suggesting the future was bleak for the talks.

DIKO leader Nicolas Papadopoulos said the effort was to avoid the dilemma of “either accepting Mr Eroglu’s terms or heading to a deadlock”. What concerns DIKO is for the talks to start on a clear basis so no one has the opportunity to table unacceptable positions at the negotiating table, he added.

As regards the issue of how to to curb applications to the Turkish Cypriot property commission, Stylianides said the matter was “very difficult, very complex” and had legal dimensions.

He said the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights deeming the IPC an effective domestic remedy had created “terrible problems”, highlighting the danger of time passing with the Cyprus problem remaining unsolved.

Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos said that the only sure way to stop Greek Cypriots selling their properties in the north was to solve the Cyprus problem.

“Some measures have been proposed, but I want to be completely honest. There is only one way, a Cyprus solution, everything else is a half-measure, and that is where we need to focus our efforts.”

He acknowledged that the deep economic crisis did not allow the state to buy refugees’ properties in the occupied areas from them, “even at 10 per cent of their value as they are being given in the occupied areas”.

The Cyprus Mail concludes by saying that to date, 5,714 applications had been filed with the IPC of which 463 have been concluded through friendly settlements and 11 through formal hearing. The IPC has paid out GBP 143 m to the applicants as compensation so far. It has only ruled for some form of restitution in seven cases.

Eroglu called to Ankara

Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu was quoted by the Turkish Cypriot press as saying that his side has submitted its “last draft” on the issue of the joint communique. He said no agreement on the Cyprus problem could be reached through the “exchange of draft papers” without first sitting at the negotiating table.

Kibris reports that he has been invited to Ankara in the coming days to discuss the Cyprus problem with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish Cypriot foreign minister Ozdil Nami appeared more positive, saying that the two sides have achieved “serious convergences” in the joint declaration and only “minor differences” separate them which could be overcome.

UN denies the two leaders will be called to New York for the moment

UNFICYP spokesman Michel Bonnardeaux said the possibility of the UN Secretary-General calling a meeting of the two leaders in New York, as was reported in the press, was currently not on the cards, the Cyprus Mail reports.

“No, right now the plan is still the same. The plan is to get the work done here which is what Mr. Downer is doing,” the UN official said.

Downer, who arrives in Cyprus on Sunday, will stay on the island for a week before heading to New York to brief the UN Security Council on January 22, and “see what the next steps shall be,” said Bonnardeaux. The UN Security Council is expected to vote on the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate on January 28.

Anastasiades suggests shorter communique in letter to UN S-G

President Nicos Anastasiades has sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on January 2 proposing a “substantial, simple and significantly shorter” joint declaration between the two sides, the Cyprus Mail reports.

He wrote argued that throughout the negotiations, he has shown good will and an open mind to meet legitimate concerns, despite opposition from the majority of political parties.

He could not say the same for his counterpart: “Regretfully, I have been faced with a constant effort to erode the basis of the settlement to be reached and the projection of the notion of separate sovereign states.”

“If the process is to stand any chance of success, the goal posts cannot be moved continuously. It must start with a basic common understanding of where we want to go and how we can best get there.

Hence there should be no space for ambiguity or ‘creative thinking’ around the notion of sovereignty,” he said.

The Greek Cypriots’ last draft proposal on a joint declaration submitted on December 18, was “tangible proof” of his resolve and determination to start the peace talks “despite the serious apprehensions and strong reservations raised by the majority of the leaders of political parties and at the expense of serious political capital.”

He accused his interlocutors of failing to have a vision of reunification, given their rejection of the latest draft, despite the Greek Cypriot compromises contained within.

“While I was aspiring to a meaningful negotiation in order to reunite the country, the Turkish Cypriot side was elaborating the terms of an eventual separation,” he said.

Anastasiades suggested as an alternative, “the swift adoption of a substantial, simple and significantly shorter joint declaration” as the answer to the Turkish approach which was leading the process to an impasse.

Such a declaration should contain: a) a clear reference to the High Level Agreements and the relevant UN resolutions; b) clear reference to membership in the EU and to the primacy of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots; and c) a clear outline of the methodology of the talks where all issues are seen as interdependent and are not artificially fragmented.

The president told the UN chief: “The settlement has to be such that nobody should be able to challenge the unity of the federal state or undermine it, or anticipate its dissolution with a view to promoting secessionist actions or attempts to achieve international recognition of the illegal entity in the occupied areas of Cyprus.”

“It is not enough to seek a ‘balanced compromise’. We must all ensure that the settlement will be viable and durable in time and, therefore, has to incarnate the principles and values that the people of Cyprus also have the legitimate expectation to see upheld, he concluded.”

UN S-G may invite the two sides to New York

Ban Ki-moon will invite the community leaders to New York if no agreement is reached on the joint declaration, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris reports.

Sources close to the UN have said that what happens in January will be decisive as to whether the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon invites the two sides to New York.

The sources said that the S-G is waiting to see if anything comes out of tomorrow’s National Council meeting and the UN Secretary-General’s special adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer’s forthcoming visit to the island.

“If the sides could not agree, what else could the Secretary-General do? He will invite Mr Eroglu and Mr Anastasiades to New York and they will write the joint declaration together”, the sources said pointing out that the invitation to New York had been put onto the table before and should be perceived as “the last option in case the sides cannot agree”.

Meanwhile, in statements to Kibris, Osman Ertug, the special representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader, responded to Greek Cypriot press reports that the UN is preparing a short joint declaration that will launch the direct negotiations in Cyprus.

“That train has left a long time ago”, he said adding that he does not think that the UN would bring to the table a formula which had been tried and failed.

Ertug noted that the whole process started when they conveyed to the Greek Cypriot side a short text with the contribution of the self-styled foreign minister, Ozdil Nami, but from a few lines it turned into a two-page text.

“These are policies of delaying tactics implemented by the Greek Cypriots”. He noted that the last proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side is still on the table and the “most valid” option for them outside this proposal is to “sit at the table without preconditions”.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen reports that Ozdil Nami, the Turkish Cypriot foreign minister, has alleged that the debate on the joint declaration which “locked” the process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem is “a difference of 3-4 words”.

“There is a serious convergence. The problem could easily be overcome with the will of both sides”, he said.

Nami noted that problems exists in phrases such as “neither of the constituent states can claim authority or power over the other” and that “neither of the constituent states can claim sovereignty”. He argued that this problem could be overcome and added that the principles of “single sovereignty, single international identity and single citizenship” have been indisputably accepted by both sides. He argued that the difficulties as regards the “internal citizenship” and the “residual powers” had been overcome.

Nami said that Downer is expected back on the island on 12 January when he will hold meetings with the aim of overcoming this deadlock.

Nami argued that in case the disagreement between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot sides on the issue of the joint declaration continues, the UN might submit an “interim formula” and added that it is possible for the UN to send a letter inviting the sides to launch negotiations without a joint statement.

Nami said that the direct negotiations will be easier if agreement is reached on a joint declaration and noted that even now there is agreement on very important core issues. 

Turkish Cypriots reject latest Greek Cypriot proposal

The Turkish Cypriot side has rejected the Greek Cypriot’s side latest proposal regarding a joint statement aimed at kick-starting a new round of talks on the Cyprus problem, the Cyprus Mail reports.

The Greek Cypriot negotiating team were informed by the United Nations that the most recent proposal regarding a joint statement had been rejected by the Turkish Cypriots without them submitting any counter proposal.

Following this development, President Anastasiades has called a meeting of the national council for Wednesday morning to discuss the Greek Cypriot side’s next step.

Head of the President’s diplomatic office, Nicos Christodoulides told CyBC that efforts would continue to formulate a joint statement and that a deadlock had not been reached.

“The President remains steadfast in his opinions that a joint statement is required,” he said.

He added that the aim was not just to begin talks but to reach a conclusion.

“For three months now we can’t even seem to agree on issuing a joint statement so you can imagine if we had entered into discussions without putting down certain conditions that we could hit a dead end within a month,” Christodoulides said.

He added that there was no Plan B but rather that the plan is for the two sides to begin negotiations so a solution can be found.