Kiprianu: "Saying We’ll Continue from Where We Left Off Is Not Enough"

Kiprianu expressed his dismay over the current state of affairs regarding the Cyprus issue, highlighting the ongoing stalemate with no talks between the sides for seven years. "Turkey continues to create new faits accomplis in Varosha and other areas, further deepening the division," Kiprianu noted. He accused Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership of escalating tensions with their unacceptable stance of separate sovereignty, aiming for two distinct states. He also criticized the continuous threatening statements against the "Republic of Cyprus" by Turkey.

Criticism Towards Christodoulides

Kiprianu criticized Christodoulides for his stance, stating that merely advocating for the resumption of negotiations from where they left off in Crans Montana is insufficient to persuade the Turkish side to abandon its intransigent position. This approach, Kiprianu warned, only serves to worry Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who care about the future of Cyprus.

Since the appointment of Maria Angela Holguín Cuellar as the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, Kiprianu noted some "activity" but emphasized that this alone is insufficient to lead to any substantial initiative.

"A Genuine Political Will Is Required"

"A movement by the UN requires the correct political will from both communities, and particularly from Turkey," Kiprianu asserted. He noted the difficulty in envisioning what move the UN could make due to the current positions and attitudes of the parties involved. Kiprianu stressed that the first word belongs to the leaders of both communities, emphasizing the importance of the roles of communities, especially those who desire peace, resolution, reunification, and reconciliation. He highlighted the need for efforts to convince the sides to restart negotiations within the agreed-upon framework for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as outlined in UN resolutions.

Kiprianu also mentioned the 

importance of continuously sending messages to the international community, the UN, and the EU. He emphasized that there are people in both communities who care about the future of Cyprus and are ready to support any effort toward reunification.

A New Approach Needed for Negotiations

Addressing Christodoulides, Kiprianu reiterated that simply returning to the Crans Montana talks is not sufficient. He emphasized the need for a new proposal to convince both sides that things would be different this time.

The Natural Gas Issue

Kiprianu recalled that AKEL had presented a comprehensive proposal to former Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades in 2020, detailing what should be done. This proposal was also submitted to Christodoulides last year. Kiprianu highlighted that this time they must convince the parties that they are prepared to see the process through to the end. He urged the Greek Cypriot side to motivate Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to abandon their unacceptable two-state claims and cooperate on a mutually agreed basis without crossing their "red lines."

Kiprianu suggested that the Greek Cypriot side should express readiness to begin negotiations based on the UN Secretary-General's Framework and present conciliatory proposals for the six points. He emphasized the need to communicate that they are prepared to go to the end this time, provided Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership offer proposals within the agreed framework. He noted that they had developed proposals regarding natural gas, which they believe would attract the interest of the Turkish Cypriot community and particularly Turkey.

"Main Responsibility Lies with Turkey and Tatar"

Kiprianu stated that if the six points of the Guterres Framework were agreed upon, Turkish Cypriots should participate in managing natural gas. He also proposed that discussions on two axes with Turkey could commence upon the resolution of the Cyprus issue. These discussions would cover the possibility of supplying natural gas to Turkey and the evaluation of Cyprus's natural wealth.

Kiprianu emphasized that decisions on this matter would be based on economic criteria once the political issue is resolved according to the wishes of Greek and Turkish Cypriots. He held Turkey and Ersin Tatar primarily responsible for the ongoing deadlock in the Cyprus issue, arguing that if Christodoulides genuinely wanted a resolution, he should prioritize persuading Turkey and Tatar to abandon their unacceptable positions. Instead, Christodoulides focused on the appointment of an EU representative, which Kiprianu deemed unnecessary, as an EU representative has been part of the negotiation process since 2008.

"Our Debt to Our Children"

Kiprianu also reminded that Christodoulides later requested and accepted the appointment of Holguin as the UN Secretary-General’s representative but criticized the lack of a plan to overcome the Turkish side's intransigence, leading to the risk of failure. Kiprianu expressed concern over Christodoulides's recent statements, which he believed undermined the possibility of a UN invitation by creating the impression of a significant development, only to later undermine it with public statements that shared the blame for failure with Ersin Tatar.

Kiprianu expressed concern over the situation, noting a lack of careful diplomatic steps or a desire to create an impression and meet communication needs at the expense of substance. Sending a message to Turkish Cypriots, Kiprianu emphasized that Cyprus is the common homeland of Greek and Turkish Cypriots. "Peace-loving Cypriots who love Cyprus and desire resolution and reconciliation must intensify our efforts and cooperate more closely to reunite our common homeland," Kiprianu urged. He concluded by stating that this is a debt to their children, grandchildren, and future generations, as well as to the heroes who gave their lives for all Cypriots to live in peace, security, and prosperity in a united and free Cyprus.

Source: Yenidüzen