Talks on property end

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Demitris Christofias and Dervis Eroglu, yesterday ended their discussion on property in an effor to build core convergences in that chapter, as UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer said.

Downer said that both leaders come to the table with new proposals at every meeting, something which the UN encourages.

“I hope they will continue to do that and when we get to October we will have a look at some of these issues again. But in the meantime, we are going through this process chapter by chapter,” he said.

The talks will cover citizenship and immigration issues next Monday and Wednesday, while Friday’s meeting will focus on the economy.

Downer also briefed the leaders on the one and a half hour discussion he had on Wednesday night with the UN Security Council (UNSC) via video link.

“I made it very clear to the Security Council that, I make no predictions about what will happen, but an agreement on reunifying Cyprus is possible, it is certainly within the grasp of the leaders,” he said.

“But to achieve it requires a lot of courage and a lot of determination, but it is possible,” he stressed and praised the commitment of the leaders and their engagement to the “tough aspects” of the problem.

However, he noted that time was an issue, and the two leaders had two choices, either to solve the problem now or miss what may be the best chance to do so.

The Australian diplomat said all 15 members of the UNSC spoke during the teleconference and showed great interest in the Cyprus issue, with some asking “very well informed and focused questions”. He said they were very supportive of the process and that there was a strong view that after 37 years the issue must finally be resolved through a successful reunification of Cyprus consistent with Security Council resolutions.

“People shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the strong support of the Security Council for the successful conclusions of these negotiations. I hope everybody understands that,” he said referring to other important issues in the region preoccupying the world’s top diplomatic body, like Libya.

The UN diplomat said “quite a few” UNSC members raised questions and made statements in relation to natural gas exploration but refused to go into what was said.

Asked by the Russian representative why no reference was made in the UN chief's report to remarks by the Turkish Prime Minister during his visit to the occupied north in July, Downer reportedly replied that Turkey does not participate in the talks, adding that all those involved should take a constructive approach.

The Cyprus Mail quotes the Cyprus News Agency as saying that the US representative pointed out that the report calls on the sides to approach the talks constructively and avoid “blame games”, while the French representative said the Turkish Cypriots do not appear to be making any substantive concessions on crucial issues.

Regarding Turkish threats against Cyprus exploring for deposits in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the German representative said it was the sovereign right of every member state to delineate its EEZ and carry out explorations within the zone, while the British representative said Cyprus’ explorations were in line with international law but supported that statements should be made to reassure Turkey.

The European Commission yesterday issued its strongest rebuke yet to Turkey over its threatening behaviour towards Cyprus’ efforts to drill for hydrocarbon reserves within its own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Cyprus Mail reports.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued to raise the stakes in his row with Israel and Cyprus, vowing yesterday to stop them from exploiting natural resources in the area while also pledging to send warships to escort aid to Gaza.

The EU, through Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule yesterday “urged Turkey to refrain from any kind of threat, sources of friction or action, which could negatively affect good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of border disputes”.

In a released statement, Fule said, “The Commission regrets any statements that are not conducive to this objective,” noting that it “regularly reiterates these issues in its discussions with Turkey and will continue to monitor Turkey’s commitments to good neighbourly relations in the light of the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes”.

The Commission further highlighted the importance of progress in the normalisation of relations between Turkey and Cyprus and “stressed all the sovereign rights of EU member states which include entering into bilateral agreements, in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea”.

The Commission underlined the “urgent need” to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.

“Ahead of the crucial phase of Cyprus talks this autumn, it is essential that all parties concerned exert restraint and do their utmost to ensure a positive climate that will facilitate a successful completion of the process,” Fule’s statement said..

According to the Cyprus Mail, tensions in the eastern Mediterranean are growing by the day as top Turkish officials continue to make cutting comments on Turkey’s plans to beef up navy patrols in the region and secure free navigation of the seas, following its spat with Israel over nine activists killed in international waters last year. Apart from Turkish demands for an Israeli apology, compensation for the families of the dead and free passage to Gaza, the combative tone of the Turkish leadership is also viewed by some analysts as a response to Israel and Cyprus’ plans to explore for oil and gas in their respective EEZs.

According to Reuters, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan went a step further yesterday in an interview with Al Jazeera saying Turkish warships will escort any Turkish aid vessels to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, preventing Israel from attacking them again.
Erdogan also said that Turkey had taken steps to stop Israel from unilaterally exploiting natural resources from the eastern Mediterranean.

“Turkey, as a guarantor of the Turkish republic of north Cyprus, has taken steps in the area, and it will be decisive and holding fast to the right to monitor international waters in the east Mediterranean,” he warned.

Deploying warships to escort aid vessels to Gaza and direct interference in the exploitation of Israel and Cyprus’ natural resources are the boldest statements yet to come from the outspoken Turkish leader.

Former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat was quoted in theTurkish Cypriot press yesterday criticising President Demetris Christofias for being “insanely brave” in daring to explore the island’s natural resources before a Cyprus solution.

Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said yesterday: “Turkey needs to get the message that all states should act within the framework of international law because this safeguards peace and good relations between neighbouring states. Unfortunately Turkey opts to provoke and opts for tension.”

In an interview with Voice of America, Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis called on Turkey to act like a European country and conduct its foreign policy based on the UN Charter and European principles and laws.

Head of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) Manthos Mavromatis yesterday said the American company was ready to begin drilling despite the threat. Noble presented its plans at a closed gathering on Wednesday organised by KEVE and the Cyprus-American Business Association, in the presence of US Embassy officials.

According to Mavromatis, Noble plans to move the oil rig to Block 12 for drilling after September 20. He noted that Noble is taking into consideration the threats but is proceeding normally, in coordination with the US State Department and Embassy here.