Turkish Cypriot leader: Cyprus on the road to unification

Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has said Cyprus could be unified by the end of the year.

Speaking to the Parliament Magazine, Talat said the “wind of change” in the south of the island, brought about by the recent election of president Demetris Christofias, could herald a new era in the island’s politics.

“I believe that Cyprus can be unified by the end of the year – despite all difficulties – provided that there is will. If the Cyprus problem is to be solved, it will be solved now. If not, it will be very difficult to ever unify Cyprus.”

Christofias, a member of the Communist party, is known to be more willing to engage in talks with Turkish Cypriots about a solution for the divided island.

Talat says, “The results of the presidential elections on the Greek Cypriot side are a symbol, a manifestation of the desire for change.

“We will regard the Greek Cypriot people’s vote for change as the beginning of a new period and we will do everything in our capacity to reach a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.”

But Talat believes a settlement should come via the UN, and not the EU or any other body.

“The solution to be reached in Cyprus should be within the framework of the established parameters and body of work of the United Nations, which are a result of over 30 years of negotiations.”

UN forces have been stationed in Cyprus since the 1960s to ease tensions between the Turkish Cypriot minority in the north and the Greek part of the island in the south.

Talat wants to begin genuine negotiations with his Greek Cypriot neighbours so that the situation doesn’t arise again.

“The comprehensive settlement plan that was devised in 2004 was supported by the leading powers of the Turkish Cypriot side, whereas the Greek Cypriot leadership asked its people to vote ‘No.’

“We should never allow ourselves to be faced with such a situation ever again."

Meanwhile, EU commissioner for health Markos Kyprianou resigned from his post Thursday in order to take up a job as Cypriot foreign minister, a position promised to him, it’s widely reported, as a condition of Christofias’s election.

But MEP and Kyprianou’s Democratic party colleague, Marios Matsakis, is not sure that this is the case.

“The placement of Mr Kyprianou as foreign affairs minister was a condition put on the insistence, it is reported, of the defeated Mr Papadopoulos. Some say it was done so that the Democratic party could continue to be in control of any negotiated settlement for Cyprus.

“I don’t think this will be the case because, knowing Mr Christofias, he’s a very strong personality and will not allow himself to be coerced into making decisions that he doesn’t wish to make.”

But Talat doesn’t deny that there will be challenges ahead for him in his negotiations with his Greek counterpart.

“This forthcoming period will be difficult, both for the newly elected Greek Cypriot leader, Demetris Christofias, and me. We have a very heavy responsibility on our shoulders.

“Our fundamental goal must be to reach a settlement that is acceptable to both Turkish and Greek Cypriots and we should act in full awareness of our responsibility."

Talat thinks too much time has already been lost in the search for a solution to the problem, and that the two sides must not get caught up in political game-playing.

“First seeming flexible and ready to accept, and then rejecting a solution would, this time, lead to a destruction impossible to heal.

“For that reason, this forthcoming period should not be a period of cultivating images but a period of real efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

 “My sole expectation is to put an end to the loss of time and negotiate – in light of UN parameters and body of work – with a leader who looks ahead, and prevent the division from becoming permanent.”

• Previous article
• Next article