More News from Cyprus

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

President-elect outlines views to Security Council members

Christofias has sent a clear message to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council with regard to his positions on the search for a political settlement. Christofias outlined his views during meetings with the ambassadors of Russia, the US and China in Nicosia who communicated to him congratulations from their respective leaders and words of encouragement for progress towards a negotiated solution. “I conveyed the right message to the ambassadors and my wish to resume the dialogue with the Turkish Cypriots, but also stressed that such a dialogue must not revoke anything the Security Council has approved so far nor must discussions annul anything the leaders of the two communities have agreed,” he told the press after the meetings. He said it was necessary for him to explain again his positions and his vision with regard to future negotiations, that would reunite the country. Christofias will be sworn in on Thursday before the House plenary and officially, he will assume his duties on March 1. He is expected to announce the composition of his Cabinet on Friday, as consultations and meetings continue with the political parties that backed his presidential candidacy. Questioned by the press on this, he said he would work, as he has always done, with “consensus” to form his government but remained tight-lipped as to his plans on the make-up of his Cabinet.

CYPRUS MAIL

Cabinet speculation in full flow

Christofias yesterday continued negotiations in preparation for his new government. Starting early in the morning, Christofias spoke to DIKO leader Marios Karoyian over the phone and later met with EDEK president Yiannakis Omirou, both of whom have been presented with a list of ministries they will be given. Yesterday, Christofias failed to confirm Karoyian’s claims that his party had been promised the House Presidency as well as the Foreign Ministry in return for DIKO’s support for his candidacy. Although no names were officially announced by any party involved, media speculation continued to mount and a number of political personalities were linked to the new Cabinet. According to CyBC and online newsletter Offsite yesterday, AKEL official and campaign spokesman Stefanos Stefanou is being hotly tipped for taking on duties as the new Government Spokesman. EU Commissioner Markos Kyprianou is still favourite to take over the Foreign Ministry, but plans to replace him with Omirou were yesterday foiled when the EDEK leader officially turned the offer down. Electricity Authority chairman Charilaos Stavrakis and Neoklis Silikiotis are estimated to take over the Finance and Interior Ministries respectively, while the Defence Ministry is expected to go to either Antonis Koutalianos or Kypros Chrysostomides. Justice Minister Sophocles Sophocleous is said to be after maintaining his position, but the position is also said to be open for Chrysostomides. Sotiroulla Charalambous, Androulla Vassiliou and Praxoula Antoniadou have all been linked to the Labour Ministry, while former Health Minister Charis Charalambous is expected to take on his old duties. The Agriculture Ministry is expected to go to EDEK, while former Government Spokesman Vasilis Palmas and Antonis Koutalianos are being tipped for Communications Minister. The CyBC yesterday said the Education Ministry was being linked to Akis Kleanthous and Vasilis Palmas, but Offsite also mentions the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) dean, Andreas Demetriou. The Trade Ministry is expected to be given to DIKO, but no names have been referred to yet. Regarding DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades’ announcement that his party planned to return to the National Council – DISY withdrew from in 2006 in protest at its “dysfunctional operation” – AKEL Spokesman Andros Kyprianou said DISY had been inexcusable for leaving and would be even more inexcusable if they failed to return. He also said that some of the names being touted in the media for various ministerial posts were so ridiculous they made him “laugh out loud”.

CYPRUS MAIL

DIKO denies list of Cabinet candidates or party split

DIKO leader Marios Karoyian last night denied the party had put forward a list of names it wanted included in Christofias’ Cabinet. “The Democratic Party has given no names to... Christofias. None at all,” he said. Karoyian, who is rumoured to be the next speaker of the House, said any whispers surrounding possible candidates for various ministries were a far cry from the truth. He said the party was still at the negotiation stage and would in the next day or two meet with Christofias to put forward its thoughts in the “controlled, serious and responsible” way that DIKO operated. Karoyian also denied all rumous of internal strife among the party’s hierarchy and reports that small factions had started forming. “I stand before you without a black eye or any tension or in any kind of bad mood,” he jested. Instead, he said, DIKO wanted to address how best to pave the way for a creative co-operation with Christofias for the good of the people and the Cyprus problem. Karoyian went a step further and denied that there had been any discussion regarding the sharing of spoils, which he said had been pronounced by some with great authority. He said this was a mentality that belonged to a time of old and no longer reflected DIKO’s attitude or behaviour. He also said no one, bar one person, had thought to cast shadows on the party. This was a clear dig at Nicos Cleanthous, who yesterday accused certain party members of opportunism. Finally Karoyian said the party had every intention of examining what went wrong during the first round of elections and to address what reasons contributed towards the failure of its candidate, outgoing President Tassos Papadopoulos, to go through to the second round. “Everyone has an opinion and they will all be put forward freely and recorded,” he said.

CYPRUS MAIL

Cleanthous lashes out at DIKO ‘opportunists’

DIKO deputy Nicos Cleanthous yesterday accused his party’s leadership of making opportunistic decisions to serve personal interests. The claims further fuelled reports over a rift in DIKO as well as a power struggle between Cleanthous and DIKO leader Marios Karoyian, to whom he lost the party’s presidency in 2006. As Alithia newspaper described the two conflicting DIKO camps, the pro-Tassians and the Karoyian team have disagreed over which of the party’s members should be appointed in the new government. “It appears that the collective bodies are not operating collectively,” Cleanthous told the Cyprus Mail yesterday. “We are talking phenomena of opportunism. I have become witness to the [DIKO] members’ anxious cries, before and after the elections. We are making our decisions opportunistically.” Cleanthous avoided specifying who his claims were being aimed at: “People can understand and judge for themselves. I don’t need to point any fingers,” he said, adding that it was his responsibility to spot and tackle these phenomena, “to save our political credibility”. Speaking earlier to the CyBC, Cleanthous admitted Tassos Papadopoulos’ exclusion from the second round of the elections had been a complete shock to DIKO. “For this reason it found us mainly unprepared. The unity was found in the people [of DIKO], who were put through the trial of, maybe with difficulty, voting for a left-wing president. But they acted consciously and instinctively to save the history and pride of this party,” said Cleanthous. In response, DIKO vice-chairman Nicos Pittokopitis made it clear that if party members wished to project their own policies, then they should distance themselves from the party and follow their own path. “If anyone has opinions, he can submit them to the party’s collective bodies, so we can be constructive and find the best possible solution for the new Cabinet,” said Pittokopitis. “All these statements, whoever they are originating from, do not contribute or offer to the peace and unity of the Democratic Party at this moment,” he added. “If any of us wants to make their own policies, there is another way: he separates his position from this party and moves ahead alone and makes his own decisions.” He pointed out that apart from the Foreign Ministry, there had been no other official announcements on which ministries DIKO would be getting, and so any speculation on Cleanthous’ behalf over who would be given which post was completely unfounded. DIKO leader Marios Karoyian also said that Cleanthous’ statements did not serve the party’s or the island’s best interests. Asked whether DIKO had been split into two camps, Karoyian said his party was as strong as ever and all would be discussed when the time was right. Meanwhile, DIKO’s youth movement NEDIK yesterday warned Cleanthous he was distancing himself from the party more and more every day. “From yesterday [Monday], Mr Cleanthous has launched an attack against the DIKO leadership for its failure in the first round of the presidential elections,” the movement announced. “We are wondering where Mr Cleanthous was during the first-round battle, fought by the leadership, officials and members of DIKO for Tassos Papadopoulos.” It added, “If of course Mr Cleanthous is still annoyed over his defeat in 2006 regarding the Democratic Party’s presidency, this does not mean he should express it by unfairly accusing the DIKO leadership in the press.”

TODAY’S ZAMAN

Expert suggests restoring old names in KKTC in show of goodwill

Following the election of left-wing AKEL General Secretary Demetris Christofias as the Greek Cypriot president, an international relations expert has recommended that adding the former Greek names of villages in northern Cyprus to signs would be a good first step by Turkish Cypriots in a peace and unification process on the island. "If the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [KKTC] makes such a move, it would be a very good gesture at the beginning of the peace process. Those names had been used during the Ottoman and the Atatürk eras, until 1974. For instance, the name of Galatya Village, which Atatürk cared for very much, was changed in 1974 to Mehmetçik. Retaining its new name and also writing 'Old Galatya' on the village's sign is a good opportunity for the maintenance of peace and cultural values," said Associate Professor Mehmet Hasgüler, an international relations expert, in an interview with Today's Zaman. Giving a list of the villages whose names were changed in his book titled "Enosis in Cyprus and the End of Politics of Division," Hasgüler said by reintroducing the former names of these Turkish villages, the KKTC will show that it cares about protecting the culture. According to his findings, the names of 199 villages were changed in the KKTC. He stated that taking such a step would send a message to the UN about the good will of the Turkish Cypriot side. "I find it historically and culturally significant to add the word 'old' to the names of these villages, most of which were established as Turkish villages during Ottoman times. Such a step is important in showing the understanding of tolerance and civilization in Ottoman culture and the culture that took over its legacy. This will show that we are one of the real owners of these territories," Hasgüler noted. Commenting on the election of AKEL's Christofias, Hasgüler said administrations that support peace are at work on both sides of the island and that AKEL had not previously adopted a negative stance toward Turks. "AKEL has a clean report in this respect. It has for the first time received an opportunity by winning the presidency to put its calls for friendship and peace into practice," he noted. He also recalled that AKEL had defended a federative structure on the island ever since 1975, noting that the new period may offer a remarkable platform for seeking solutions on the island.

Tuesday, February 26

FINANCIAL TIMES

Cypriot president under pressure to act fast on unity

Demetris Christofias, Cyprus's first communist president, stressed in his election campaign that he wanted to "build bridges" between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Just before he was proclaimed president on Sunday night, at a football stadium crammed with supporters waving as many red flags as Cypriot ones, Mr Christofias received a congratulatory phone call from Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Cypriot president. "We foresee a productive co-operation," he told the crowd. But Mr Christofias still has to convince the international community and Turkish Cypriots that he is serious about reaching a political deal to re-unify the island. "He [Mr Christofias] has to move fast to show that he's committed to a settlement and also that he's no longer a eurosceptic but a co-operative European politician," said Philip Savvides, an analyst based in Athens... But power-sharing with the Democrats, who have strongly opposed resuming bi-communal talks, may constrain Mr Christofias when it comes to showing flexibility, according to analysts. Diplomats said the first steps towards reconciliation should be relatively simple: an informal meeting with Mr Talat - a strong advocate of re-unification - arranged by United Nations officials, followed by a few key confidence-building measures. One such move would be to open a border crossing to unite the Greek and Turkish Cypriot halves of Ledra Street, a main shopping area in central Nicosia. Once the goodwill gestures are made, however, the peace process becomes more complicated. Mr Christofias's decision to share power with the nationalist Greek Cypriot faction, and the pressure the Turkish government may exert on Mr Talat, whose administration relies on Ankara's support, means building trust will be hard. UN officials have made clear it is up to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to make a joint request for the UN secretary-general's "good offices" before a new initiative can be launched.

REUTERS

Turk Cypriot leader says solution possible in 2008

Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said on Tuesday the election of a new Cypriot president offered a last chance for reunification and he believed a "solution" could be found by the end of 2008. President Demetris Christofias has pledged to relaunch efforts to reunite the ethnically divided Mediterranean island, which is a hurdle to Turkey's hopes of joining the European Union. "A new phase of negotiations may start by about April," Talat told Reuters in an interview. "We have every reason to expect a solution by the end of the year.”...A communist party leader who says he will not tamper with the island's market economy, Christofias rode a wave of discontent with his predecessor's hardline policies towards Turkish Cypriots to win Sunday's runoff election. Talat said his victory offered hope after five wasted years during which the two sides grew further apart. A U.N. team was due on Cyprus by April to assess how willing the two sides were to negotiate. "Time is very limited," Talat said. "In the next couple of years we must use this window of opportunity because it may be the last one. I really believe that." Talat said a solution hinged on the willingness of Greek Cypriots to share power with Turkish Cypriots on an equal basis. "We must show our real intentions," he said. "For us, political equality is a top priority." He said the 2004 UN plan, which Turkish Cypriots approved but Greek Cypriots rejected in a referendum, was the last proposal on the table and things will have to start from there. Christofias has said that plan is history. "Any negotiation process starts from where it was last left," Talat said. As the years go by, even Turkish Cypriots are becoming more used to their status and may not offer popular support to a solution, he said...

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Turkish Cypriot leader sees solution

The decades-long division of Cyprus could be resolved by the end of the year, the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots said Monday. The remarks came a day after Greek Cypriots elected Dimitris Christofias as president after he campaigned on a pledge to quickly restart long-stalled talks to reunify the island. "It is very possible to find a solution by the end of the year," Mehmet Ali Talat told The Associated Press... The division is a major source of tension between NATO allies Turkey and Greece and decades of diplomatic efforts to heal the rift on the strategic island have failed. Reunification would remove one of the obstacles to Turkey's efforts to join the European Union and could ease strong objections to Kosovo's new independence among Greek Cypriots, who fear it would act as a precedent for north Cyprus. Talks have been stalled since Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N. reunification plan in 2004. Turkish Cypriots approved the blueprint. Christofias' election Sunday, after the ouster of hardline Tassos Papadopoulos in a surprise first-round election, has sparked hope for eventual healing of the division. "The Greek Cypriot people decided on change. They chose a person who can make that change," Talat said. "We believe this decision will be the start of a new era." The U.S. believes "2008 offers a window of opportunity for significant progress," the Embassy in Nicosia said. Christofias has pledged to meet with Talat, with whom he shares the same left-wing political ideology and has had friendly relations in the past. No date has been set for a meeting. "At least he is somebody who is not denying the role of the Turkish Cypriot leader in a solution and he doesn't deny to meet the Turkish Cypriot leader," Talat told the AP in a reference to Papadopoulos. Talat said Papadopoulos declined to meet "even to have a coffee." Talat said it was enough that there was momentum in the peace process at last, though he acknowledged that difficult negotiations lie ahead. "We are ready to find a solution to this problem. We will be flexible, we will work in good faith and we will be always active," he said. "We believe that a solution is possible ... for the benefit of both the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots." Christofias said he hoped to set up an initial, "exploratory" meeting with Talat soon. "Naturally, the U.N. will be involved as usual, and I believe that soon we will arrange a first exploratory meeting," he said. Christofias said he would first go to Athens next week, and then to Brussels before returning home. Christofias, a Soviet-educated 61-year-old history professor, heads the communist-rooted AKEL party and has long had friendly ties with the Turkish Cypriot left wing... British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the vote "generated a renewed sense of hope - among both communities on the island - that progress toward a comprehensive settlement can be achieved during 2008."

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Christofias: solution prospects also depend on Turkey

Christofias believes that a lot depends on Turkey as far as efforts to solve the Cyprus question are concerned. He also believes that Turkish Cypriots have expectations and that both he, as Cyprus President and leader of the Greek Cypriot community, and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat have a responsibility to bring about results. “There is an expectation in the Turkish Cypriot community as well. Talat and I have a responsibility to sort things out. I agree with them. We have to find the necessary understanding,” Christofias said speaking at a farewell ceremony at the House of Representatives as he leaves his post of House President to assume the duties of the President of the Republic. The fact remains that “a lot depends on Turkey and Talat and I need to sort things out,” he noted. “I have promised the people a more just society, much has already been achieved in this direction but I believe that more can be done, things can improve and this is what I have said in my programme of governance, which the people have endorsed,” he stressed. Christofias assured that as President of the Republic he will make every effort to solve the Cyprus question so that the people, who have been suffering so much, are vindicated. “I will make every effort to reunite the country on the basis of principles and to see the human rights of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins respected,” he added. Addressing the House staff, he thanked everybody warmly for all their work during his term in office, saying “our cooperation for the past seven years has been friendly and productive.” “The Executive is firmly linked to the Legislative and one cannot survive without the other,” he pointed out, promising that this cooperation will continue. A clearly moved Christofias said he would miss the good times he has shared with his staff.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Klavdios Mavrohannas to replace Christofias as MP

Klavdios Mavrohannas will take office as MP, being the first runner up, replacing Christofias. Mavrohannas, who was born in Kormakitis, is the runner up in Kyrenia district, in the 2006 parliamentary elections. He will be sworn in before the House plenary on 6th of March 2008.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Christofias sends message to Commission President

Christofias said on Tuesday that he had met earlier in the day with Cypriot Commissioner for Health Marcos Kyprianou, before the latter departed for Brussels, to convey a message to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. ''Mr. Kyprianou has departed for Brussels and I had to send some messages to Mr. Barroso,'' Christofias said, adding that ''I saw Mr. Kyprianou and we spoke about them.'' Speaking after a meeting with President of the Movement of Social Democrats EDEK Yiannakis Omirou, whose party supported him in the runoff presidential election, Christofias said Omirou had handed him a list of names for possible ministers of the new government, adding that he also met with Democratic Party (DIKO) President Marios Karoyan, whose party also supported him in the second round of the elections. Christofias praised the stance of Omirou and noted that it was up to the President of the Republic to decide who he would be appointing as members of the cabinet. ''We are discussing. I am not holding a list,'' he said. Replying to questions regarding the National Council, Christofias said he did not wish to make any comments at the moment and assured he would proceed in a responsible manner. ''I will address the House of Representatives' plenary and I will touch upon all these issues,'' he pointed out. Referring to his meeting with Karoyan and asked if the parties that supported him in the runoff election were ''pressurising'' him regarding their participation in the new government, Christofias said ''I am not that easy to pressurise.'' Asked if Karoyan had also given him a list of names, Christofias said everything has taken its course and noted that he would be announcing the formation of his cabinet as soon as he has made his final decisions.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Putin expects ties with Cyprus to develop further

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed the conviction that his country’s relations with Cyprus will be enhanced and said bilateral cooperation can contribute to peace and stability in Europe. In a letter to congratulate Christofias on his election victory, Putin said he is convinced that “the friendly relations with Cyprus will develop further on a bilateral level as well as on international issues.” The letter was delivered today to Christofias by Russian Ambassador her Andrey Nesterenko, who said President Putin expressed hope that “the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries on the political and the social arena will contribute to peace, stability and security in Europe and in the world at large.” “Russia will continue to play an active role in efforts to find a negotiated settlement in Cyprus,” Nesterenko told the press after the meeting. He said Moscow believes that “after Sunday’s presidential elections there are new opportunities to resume the dialogue on a Cyprus solution to the benefit of the island’s two communities, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot.” On a UN-brokered agreement in July 2006, the Ambassador said the process to implement the agreement must continue because this provides the fundamental principles and is supported by the five permanent members of the Security Council. “We hope that at long last, this formula will be put in place and we expect to hear that direct contact between the two communities resumes,” he added.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

China supports viable Cyprus solution

Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Zhao Yali reaffirmed here today his country’s firm support for a viable and functional political settlement in Cyprus. Speaking after a meeting with President elect Demetris Christofias, the Ambassador said “China as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China supports every efforts aiming at a functional solution in Cyprus which must take into account the concerns and the interests of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots.” He said he had a “friendly and productive meeting” and congratulated Christofias on his election victory, while the two men reaffirmed the excellent friendly relations between the two countries. The Ambassador said these relations, though excellent, can improve even more in all fields. “I assured the President of our firm support on the question of Cyprus. We support firmly and consistently the position of principles relating to the sovereignty, the territorial integrity and the independence of Cyprus,” he added. Closing his brief remarks, he expressed hope that a solution can be found within the UN framework, on the basis of UN resolutions.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Sarkozy assures Christofias of French support

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has assured Christofias that France, in its capacity as permanent member of the UN Security Council, would assist efforts towards a political settlement of the question of Cyprus. In a letter to Christofias, Sarkozy congratulated him on his election to the Presidency and wished that during his term in office Christofias will be able to achieve a viable and just settlement of the Cyprus question, which will be in line with international law. “A settlement, which both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have been expecting for a very long time,” the letter noted. Sarkozy assured Christofias that France will always support efforts towards this direction and will always be willing to offer its help, especially within the framework of the UN Security Council. “During the execution of your high duties which the people have entrusted in you, you can rely on the help and friendship of France,” Sarkozy added. He referred to the long standing historical bonds between France and Cyprus, that go back more than eight centuries, noting that the two countries maintain relations of trust and closeness that were renewed after Cyprus’ accession to the EU and its participation in the institutions of Francophonie. “I hope that during the coming years these bonds will continue to develop both at the bilateral and multilateral level,” he said. Sarkozy said he is particularly happy that he will welcome President Christofias in Paris in July, when the EU French Presidency will start. “I reiterate my warm congratulations on you elections and my personal wishes for a successful term in office and I ask you, Mr. President, to accept the assurance of my high appreciation,” he concluded.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Bush wants close cooperation with Cyprus President-elect

US President George Bush has sent a congratulatory letter to Christofias, noting the desire of the US government to keep cooperating closely with the government of Cyprus on a wide range of bilateral issues and in the search for a settlement. Speaking after a meeting with Christofias, US Ambassador to Cyprus Ronald Schlicker said that Christofias assured him that he had similar intentions as regards bilateral relations. “Today I had the pleasure of meeting with President elect Christofias and the honour of presenting to him a letter from President Bush congratulating the President elect on his election, noting the desire of the US government to keep cooperating closely with the government of the Republic of Cyprus on a wide range of bilateral issues and of course as the most important issue in the search for a settlement that will reunify the island,” the US Ambassador said. He added that Christofias assured him that “that he had similar intentions toward our relationship and we agreed to keep in touch and make very real and very practical the desires expressed in the letter and then the President elect responded to the letter.” Asked about a possible new initiative on Cyprus, the Ambassador expressed hope that the contacts between Christofias and Talat will produce a situation in which the UN track moves forward very quickly. “I think the UN has its own ideas about how to move forward as well. I think the international community is sending many notes of encouragement to the parties to get a process back on track and of course there is a body of UN work that will help the parties do that. We need to get to a substantive engagement of the issues as soon as possible and the parties and the UN are very capable of doing that,” Schlicker said, adding that “all of the different political events of the last year that arguably have slowed down the process are now complete. We don’t have to devote any attention to that. So let’s all devote our attention to getting back to negotiations”. Replying a question regarding the 8 July Agreement, Schlicker said “the agreement is there and it’s a vehicle to be used.” “ It provides a procedure by which the parties can engage but engagement itself is necessary but what they really need to engage in is not just the preparatory work but the substance of the issues so we need to find a way to using the available vehicles to get to substance as soon as possible,” he added. Responding to questions on the parties’ convergence on this, he said “that’s up to the two parties and the UN to define. I think they are perfectly capable of getting together and coming up with a mutually agreed basis of engagement and we think that they need to do so as soon as possible.” The Ambassador said that at this stage he had no information on a possible trip to Cyprus by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Greece stands firmly by Cyprus

Greece will stand by Cyprus in its struggle to end the continuing “Turkish occupation” and to reunite the country, Greek Premier Costas Karamanlis has said. In a reply letter to Papadopoulos, Karamanlis expressed satisfaction for the “excellent cooperation” between the two leaders and “the personal friendship” they have enjoyed. “I can assure you that Greece will remain firmly by your side in the struggle to end the Turkish occupation and to reunite the island, in the framework of a functional and viable, bizonal, bicommunal solution,” Karamanlis says in his letter, in reply to Papadopoulos’ letter dated 21st of February.

COMMENTARY

FINANCIAL MIRROR

EDITORIAL: A new era for Cyprus?

“Now that the dust has settled from the longest election campaign Cypriots were ever tormented to, the sixth president of the Republic finds himself in front of momentous decisions. For now, his priorities seem to be in good order, preparing to embark on an international tour to defend himself against arguments that feared a communist taking over as head of state. On the political front the new chief executive has to convince the public on both sides of the divide that he is genuinely keen on resolving the Cyprus problem. Despite the old camaraderie between Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Cypriots are a bit hesitant as the communist AKEL party was not forthcoming in supporting the 2004 peace plan. On the other hand, Talat has repeatedly stated that he follows the policies set out by Ankara. Christofias has to convince the Turkish government that it can no longer blame the Greek Cypriots for intransigence and has to abide by new initiatives if it wants to have any hopes of securing a favourable review from the EU next year. Should the political issue be the only concern in any Cypriot’s mind? Unfortunately, yes, as the economy, social welfare, industrial progress, shipping, farming, education and tourism and so much more depend on getting Cyprus out of the quagmire it is presently stuck in. Here, Christofias could find an ally in DISY if only he can disengage from the hard line of outgoing Tassos Papadopoulos. The main opposition party, that has pledged to return to the president’s advisory National Council, should help open doors in Brussels through the dominance of the European Popular Party of which DISY is a leading member. This is the only way we can overcome the Greek Cypriot “isolation” of recent years. Once we get the ball rolling, Cyprus could find itself in better days. A stable political situation could force Turkey to reconsider its excessive military presence on the island, something that will relieve the Cyprus government’s budget through a shorter-term professional army. We can then get on with the economy. Unfortunately, despite the recent tax reform, for which AKEL claims part of the glory, all that the outgoing administration did from the outset five years ago was to blame all ills on the “previous administration” of Glafcos Clerides, disregarding the fact that so much was invested in that decade leading up to EU accession. The pensions reform is still outstanding, the Social Insurance Fund is near bankrupt and the ageing problem has not been addressed in the past five years. The boost to state coffers came from non-recurring injections in the form of the tax and property amnesties, the National Health Scheme is still to get off the ground, while the issue of corporatisation was not even raised for fear of violent reaction from the coalition’s main partner, AKEL. These are all matters that the new president must deal with, on the one hand maintaining the welfare state and the mixed economy as his principle concern, while on the other hand trying to prevent the flee of investors and international companies after a senior AKEL official admitted that corporate taxes would be raised. Until the, President Christofias needs to talk frankly about reform, meritocracy and corporate governance, while keeping public spending in check.”