Pressure on Greek Cypriots for Kosovo or Taiwan Model

According to the weekly Kathimerini's article titled "Taiwan-Kosovo Model Before the Solution," in recent weeks, foreign mediators have been presenting creative ideas and arguments to acquit the demand for sovereign equality, stating that it does not equate to two states. The mediators are advising the Greek Cypriot administration to consent to sovereign equality instead of two states. The article also highlighted that the Turkish Cypriot side is demanding the normalization of the TRNC's international relations within a framework similar to Taiwan or Kosovo as a precondition for returning to the negotiation table. Foreign mediators are said to be considering this demand.

The report emphasizes that if the Greek Cypriot side accepts the condition set by the Turkish side for starting negotiations, it would entail the de facto recognition of the TRNC as a separate entity, which could influence the future solution model with principles such as sovereign equality or equal status.

Ankara and President Ersin Tatar reportedly want the Greek Cypriot administration to consent to the normalization of the TRNC's international relations to ensure the future status of Turkish Cypriots, regardless of whether the Cyprus issue is resolved. This normalization would involve allowing the TRNC to join international organizations. The article compares this situation to Kosovo, which has embassies in 22 countries that are recognized by 22 EU member states.

According to the information obtained, the Greek Cypriot administration, aware of this condition, has rejected any idea of granting the TRNC a status similar to Taiwan or Kosovo. Rumors suggest that Greek Cypriot Administration President Nikos Christodoulides has stated that fulfilling this condition is not on the table. However, foreign mediators, including Maria Angela Holguin, are urging the Greek Cypriot side to make new overtures towards the Turkish Cypriot community; otherwise, the Turkish Cypriots will have no incentive to return to the dialogue table for a definite solution.

Foreign diplomatic circles increasingly advocate for goodwill gestures from the Greek Cypriot side toward the Turkish Cypriots. These circles argue that the Greek Cypriot administration's Confidence-Building Measures, declared by Christodoulides, are considered inadequate by the Turkish Cypriots, and that the Turkish Cypriots do not seem capable of bringing them back to the negotiation table for a new round of talks. If the gap between the two sides remains as wide as it is today, there is no indication that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will take a new initiative on the Cyprus issue. In other words, foreign mediators, including the British, expect goodwill gestures from the Greek Cypriot administration.

The article concludes by mentioning that it is not a coincidence that the British Foreign Office, two years ago, urged the Greek Cypriot administration to adopt statements legitimizing Ercan Airport and describing the Turkish Cypriots as the founding partners and joint owners of Cyprus.

Furthermore, the newspaper reported that the European Commission had proposed establishing direct trade relations between the EU and the TRNC under Article 133 of the Treaty concerning the Community's common commercial policy. The proposal, submitted in 2004, remains pending before the Commission. Unlike other proposals that were withdrawn after 2-3 years of being unadopted, this proposal has not been withdrawn from the Commission.