News from Cyprus

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Christofias calls on Talat to speak in undertones

Christofias has called on Talat to speak in undertones regarding the Cyprus problem, noting that ''comments either side, if we wish to work properly, should be avoided.'' ''This is my message to Mr. Talat, if we really want to work seriously for a Cyprus settlement,'' Christofias said, commenting on a letter sent by Talat to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Christofias added that he had elaborated on the parameters of the settlement pursued before the House of Representatives and that ''I expect understanding from the other side.'' Replying to questions, Christofias said he would be meeting with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller on Monday and would be flying to Athens on Tuesday for a visit that will last until Thursday. Asked if he would be sending a letter to the UN chief, Christofias said ''moves will be made in the direction of the UN Secretariat, the UN Secretary General and the five permanent members of the Security Council.'' He also said he was in close contact with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and that his next trip would be to Brussels.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Christofias presides over first cabinet meeting

Christofias said on Friday that his government was beginning hard work and called on the new members of the Council of Ministers to be consistent with the declarations of the government and never forget that credibility and success were the gamble of the government's service. Addressing the first cabinet meeting after the new Ministers were sworn in, apart from the Minister of Foreign Affairs who will be sworn in on Monday, Christofias thanked and congratulated the new Ministers for accepting his invitation to participate in the government and said that ''as of today we begin hard work.'' ''You have before you the programme of our government. This is the guiding light and compass for all of us. It must continuously be your constant reference point. The programme binds us to work towards a just solution of the Cyprus problem and a fairer society. If we manage to implement these two fundamental aims, then we will truly inaugurate a new era for our homeland and our people,'' he said. Christofias said unity and consent would be cultivated through dialogue and transparency, adding that ''in decision making there must control, decisiveness and speed'' and that ''all ministries must have their doors open to the citizens.'' He called on his cabinet to be consistent with the declarations of the government and ''never forget that credibility and success are the gamble of the government's service,'' adding that ''we must all work hard to justify the faith of the people who gave us the mandate to govern.'' ''I will always be on hour side, a friend, an assistant and a supporter to your work. The people have demands from us, so as their attorney I have demands of you. I wish you all success in the task you have undertaken,'' he said. He furthermore informed the cabinet that he would be flying to Athens on Tuesday for a working visit that will last until Thursday, and that the next meeting of the Council of Ministers would be held on March 11.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

New cabinet members sworn in

The new members of the Council of Ministers were sworn in on Friday before Christofias, apart from Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou, who will be sworn in on Monday morning. Kyprianou has resigned from the post of European Commissioner and his resignation will apply as soon as his successor is appointed. The other new Ministers are Minister of Finance Charilaos Stavrakis, Minister of the Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis, Minister of Defence Costas Papacostas, Minister of Education and Culture Andreas Demetriou, Minister of Communications and Works Nicos Nicolaides, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Michalis Polyniki Charalambides, Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Soteroulla Charalambous, Minister of Justice and Public Order Kypros Chrysostomides, and Minister of Health Christos Patsalides. Furthermore, Titos Christophides has been appointed Undersecretary to the President, Stephanos Stephanou Government Spokesman, George Iacovou Commissioner of the Presidency, Charalambos Theopemptou Commissioner for the Environment, and Vassos Georgiou Director of the President's Office. After the swearing in ceremony, Christofias laid a wreath at the statue of Makarios III in the Presidential Palace court, and the new cabinet gathered at the entrance of the Palace for a photograph, after which the cabinet, under Christofias, began a ceremonial meeting. Later on Friday, the new Ministers will be taking over their respective ministries during special ceremonies.

CYPRUS MAIL

‘Save your comments for negotiating table’

Christofias yesterday advised Talat to keep a tight lip on the Cyprus problem if he wanted to get any results out of today’s positive environment following his election. Before Christofias could even take office, Talat made a number of comments to the press last week discussing the nature of a future settlement, its substance and his side’s desire to return to the Annan plan. His comments were not viewed favourably among the Greek Cypriot media, some of which accused Talat of trying to undermine Christofias. Two days before the runoff election, Talat sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asking for future talks to be based on the same Annan Plan overwhelmingly rejected by Greek Cypriots in 2004. According to Phileleftheros, Talat also asked for the international community to recognise the efforts of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in securing the Turkish Cypriot approval of the plan. Since then, Talat has been quoted in the press talking on issues of substance regarding a solution. “We want political equality. I want to highlight the communal aspect of political equality between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, not the watered down version of political equality of two entities,” he said. Talat highlighted that Turkish Cypriots have lived within their own state-like structure since 1963. Following the ‘1974 invasion’ and 1983 declaration of independence by the TRNC, this entity produced a salaried ‘civil service’ which must be taken into account in any future settlement, said Talat. The Turkish Cypriot leader also spoke of the need for a new state to be born out of any final settlement, a prickly issue among Greek Cypriots. He referred to the need to start negotiations where they were left off, that is, the Annan plan, despite the July 8 2006 process being the last negotiated agreement between the two community leaders. Christofias recently expressed his desire to see all Turkish troops leave Cyprus. Talat’s response was any amendment of the international treaties signed in 1960 went beyond the powers of the two Cypriot leaders. Following his inauguration ceremony yesterday, Christofias was asked to comment on Talat’s latest remarks. “I don’t want to speak about this. Comments from both sides should be avoided if we want to work seriously on the Cyprus problem. This is my advice to Mr Talat,” said Christofias....Given the previously close relationship enjoyed by Christofias and Talat, political observers were perplexed by the latter’s recent comments, which seemed to eat away at the upbeat climate created by the AKEL leader’s election. Talat sought to play down concerns yesterday, insisting that Greek and Turkish Cypriots had a “new era” ahead of them.“We have reasons to be hopeful… We have every opportunity ahead, for now. There is euphoria among Turkish Cypriots everywhere in the world. We have to utilise this.” “Now, people across the political spectrum want unification, unlike the past. With the new leadership, looking to the future, I am very optimistic,” Talat added. The Turkish Cypriot leader said he expected to meet with Christofias next week. A team of UN experts will arrive on the island in March to assess the situation, while by the end of April at the latest, Talat hoped real negotiations could start. British High Commissioner Peter Millett highlighted that the next few weeks and months were “vitally important for Cyprus”. Millet maintained that the international community would not impose any plan or solution on Cyprus. “You, the Cypriots, own the problem. It is up to you to solve it,” he said. The British diplomat said the island needed to see a “change of atmosphere in which genuine trust can be generated”. A good start would be the opening of Ledra Street next month, he added.

REUTERS

New Cyprus foreign minister eyes unification

Cyprus's new foreign minister said on Thursday he intended to capitalise on a "new momentum" to unify the ethnically divided island and believed there was a real chance he could broker a long-term agreement. Markos Kyprianou resigned as the European Union's health chief on Thursday to return to his native Cyprus, become foreign minister of a new government and help lead attempts to forge a peace deal for the divided Mediterranean island.

"There is new interest and new momentum to reach a deal and I intend to exploit this new momentum," Kyprianou told Reuters in an interview after his resignation. "I have two goals, one to integrate Cyprus fully into the European Union by contributing to the European structure and foreign and defence policy, but yes, my top priority is the resolution of the Cyprus issue. It is very early after the elections, but I think we can achieve this." Kyprianou, appointed EU health commissioner in May 2005, said the positive conditions for forging a reunification of Cyprus were irresistible... "This is the only reason I am going back. I was very proud to be EU Commissioner and was still very enthusiastic to look after the health of over 500 million Europeans," he said. "But at the same time the good prospects and the positive new process on unification meant I could not sit back and watch from afar. I owed it to my country."... He said he expected United Nations-brokered meetings with the Turkish Cypriots to take place "very soon" after he takes office. Christofias has already sought early talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat."The responsibility lies with the U.N. Any deal relies on the U.N. and the EU, which has the most interest in this issue since it already contains one of the countries involved and the other is a candidate country," Kyprianou said... "My experience in dealing with delicate international issues in Brussels certainly means I am very well placed and I intend to use this experience and influence in my new role," he said.

Thursday, February 28

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Britain hopes Cypriot leaders to meet soon

British High Commissioner to Cyprus Peter Millet expressed hope on Thursday that the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller would hold meetings with Christofias and Talat, and that soon a meeting between the leaders of the two communities would be arranged, aiming at the resumption of stalled talks for a Cyprus settlement. ''We hope that the two leaders will have a meeting immediately, on Monday or Tuesday,'' Millet said, adding that ''it was up to the UN to arrange a meeting.'' He added that ''we are in a position to support this dialogue'' and that ''it is up to the two leaders to make arrangements about how they will move this process forward.''

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Papadopoulos wishes Christofias good luck before leaving Presidential Palace

Papadopoulos, who departed from the Presidential Palace on Thursday afternoon, wished Christofias good luck in his duties. Christofias arrived at the Presidential Palace at 1705 local time (1505 GMT), accompanied by his wife, Elsie, in a car bearing the insignia of the Republic of Cyprus after the ceremony for his investiture at a special session of the House of Representatives. Papadopoulos received Christofias at the entrance of the Presidential Palace and entered the presidential office for a short talk that lasted about 15 minutes. Following the meeting, Papadopoulos wished Christofias ''good luck and progress,'' and departed from the Presidential Palace with his wife, Photini.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

“Cyprus President” - Investiture - Address - Full text

The full text of the address before the House of Representatives by Christofias is as follows:

''Allow me first of all to express my thanks and gratitude to the citizens who honoured me with their vote. The trust with which they have embraced me and the strong mandate they gave me with their vote, is the solid foundation upon which we will rely to take Cyprus ahead. To open a new era for our Cyprus. An era which will be characterized by the intensification of our efforts to reach a just, viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem. A new era which will be marked by the renewal of the political life of the country and the modernization of our society. I express warm thanks to all the political forces that supported my candidacy and elected me to the Presidency of the Republic through their hard work. I would like to thank my party AKEL and the Popular Movement, the United Democrats, the Epalxi Political Movement, the Socialists Initiative, the Free Citizens Initiative and the Support Movements for my candidacy, all of whom were with me from the beginning. I would also like to thank the Democratic Party, the Social Democrats Movement EDEK and the Cyprus Green Party for their support during the second round of the elections, thereby contributing to my election to the highest office of the Republic of Cyprus. I also express my thanks not only to those who have voted for me but also to those who, by exercising their democratic right, made other choices. I thank them because, with their massive participation in the elections, away from fanaticism, bigotry and excesses, they have confirmed that democracy in our country has now matured. This is something we can all be proud of. Democracy is a people's victory that all of us should protect and preserve at all costs. The strong ties between the citizens and politics prevailing in our country is a healthy phenomenon because they demonstrate that the citizens trust the political process and the politicians. They are the bearers and heralds of the collective participation in the social and political life in our country. This guarantees the smooth functioning of democracy. I wish once again to stress that I honour and respect my opponents in the Presidential Elections. I honour and respect Mr. Kasoulides who, along with me, contested the Presidency of the Republic in the second round of the Presidential Elections. I also express my respect and boundless appreciation to President Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos. With Mr. Papadopoulos, we developed a cooperation and a personal friendship over many years. This cooperation culminated in his election to the Presidency of the Republic in 2003 as well as in the effort we jointly made to bring about change during his Presidency. Despite the disagreements and different approaches that appeared in the course of this cooperation, we can certify that during Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos’ term in office a great lot has been accomplished. Ladies and gentlemen, My election to the Presidency of the Republic brings to a close the tenure of my presidency in the House of Representatives that started in May 2001. Seven years elapsed since then. Fruitful years for the House of Representatives. From the rich and multi-faceted work of the House during all these years, I would single out its contribution in the collective and gigantic effort – of the state and of the political leadership, of the organized groups and of the people – to bring about the harmonization of the Republic of Cyprus with the european acquis and to make Cyprus a member state of the European Union, on 1 May 2004. Another aspect of the activities of the Cyprus House of Representatives that I wish to mention is the strengthening of parliamentary diplomacy and the activities for the promotion of the Cyprus problem internationally. Culture, Arts and Letters were an important part of the overall work of the House during this period, a development I feel particularly proud of. From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank all the political forces that contributed to produce the rich parliamentary work during this period. I would like to thank the directors, the officers and the House personnel for their decisive contribution in the -grading of the parliamentary and legislative work. I wish them all strength and smooth continuity in their endeavors. Ladies and gentlemen, I run for the Presidency of the Republic inspired by a life-long vision: The achievement of a just solution to the Cyprus problem and the building of a fairer society. This vision is evident throughout my government programme, which constitutes the beacon and compass of my presidency. I will do my utmost and work very hard to implement my commitments to the people, along with the Council of Ministers that I will appoint. My government programme is a contract of honour with the people which I will fully honour. The principal concern and duty of our Presidency is the solution of the Cyprus problem. I have repeatedly stated during the pre-election period and I state it again now: The solution of the Cyprus problem is the main reason I took the decision to run for the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus. The solution of the Cyprus problem will be the top priority of my government. The aim of our Presidency is to achieve a just, viable and functional solution that will terminate the occupation and colonization of our country. A solution that will restore the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus and will exclude any rights for military intervention in the internal affairs of our country by foreign powers. A solution which will reunite the territory, the people, the institutions and the economy of our country in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as provided for in the Makarios – Denktash high-level agreement of 1977 and the Kyprianou – Denktash high-level agreement of 1979. The federal, bizonal, bicommunal Republic of Cyprus must have a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship. The solution must be based on the United Nations resolutions on Cyprus and be compatible with international and the EU law as well as with international conventions on human rights. We demand that the solution will restore and safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians and Latins, including the right of return and the right to property for the refugees. We demand that the solution will provide for the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops and the demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus. The ultimate goal remains the demilitarization of all of Cyprus. We support consistently the political equality of the two communities in the framework of a federation, as this is defined in the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. The Cyprus problem remains unresolved for thirty four years now despite the many efforts that have been made from time to time. The problem has not been solved due to Turkey’s refusal to accept a solution that would be to the benefit of the people of Cyprus. I firmly believe that the time has come for the problem to be solved in a just, viable and functional way and for the principles of international law to be restored; principles that Turkey violates through the invasion in carried out in 1974 and through the occupation of a large part of our homeland. The starting point to break the deadlock and create the preconditions for a comprehensive negotiation of the Cyprus problem is the implementation of the 8 July agreement, which is embraced and supported by the five permanent members of the Security Council. We declare our readiness for dialogue for the implementation of the agreement and we hope to have a positive response from the Turkish Cypriot side. At this solemn hour, I address myself to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots in order to assure them that I am filled and inspired by the best of intentions for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. I assure them once again that I will work so that they can enjoy all the rights as equal citizens of a united federal Republic of Cyprus. However, I wish to emphatically reiterate that the restoration of the rights of Turkish Cypriots cannot take place at the expense of the rights of the Greek Cypriot and of our Maronite, Armenian and Latin compatriots. This would doom the solution of the Cyprus problem to failure from the outset. We have made a pledge to the people of Cyprus that we will undertake intense efforts towards various directions in the international community in order to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem. I express my satisfaction, because in the immediate aftermath of the Presidential Elections, the international community has declared its readiness to contribute to the efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem. From this distinguished rostrum, I reaffirm my commitment towards the people that I will be taking constant initiatives towards the international community as well as towards the Turkish Cypriot community, to achieve a solution that will be based on principles. For the fulfillment of our promise we will take steps in the direction of the Secretary General and the Security Council of the United Nations Organization. We welcome the position of the Security Council, as this is set forth in its latest resolution, which calls upon the two communities to engage constructively in the efforts to find a solution in Cyprus. We will work vigorously to develop this cooperation and rapprochement with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, building on the long and historical ties that we have developed with them through the years. It is important for us that the United Nations Secretary General, through the exercise of his good offices mission, contributes to the promotion and support of the dialogue between the two sides. It is also important that the five permanent members of the Security Council collectively handle the Cyprus problem on the basis of the decisions and resolutions of the United Nations Organization on Cyprus. The European Union can and should play a role in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem. We look forward to the solidarity of our European partners and we expect that they will contribute to break the deadlock and to solve the Cyprus problem. It is not easy to achieve a fair, viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem. We are aware of the difficulties. We fully understand that it will take continuous, persistent and hard work. The key to the solution is in the hands of Ankara. It is Turkey that has to decide to cooperate for a solution. An important and necessary precondition to the efforts we will make is to have unity on the internal front; it is the mobilization of everybody in the pursuit of the common goal towards a solution. Building unity on the internal front and the existence of a consensus and a dialogue is one of the top priorities of our administration. We shall promote unity and collective leadership in the handling of the Cyprus problem, through the upgrading and more effective operation of the National Council. The political parties will have both a say and a role to play and this opportunity will be realized through their substantial participation in the National Council. Unity, consensus and dialogue will be the characteristics of my presidency not only in the handling of the Cyprus problem, but also in the way Cyprus will be governed. Of course, unity does not mean the elimination or levelling of any differences. Objectively, such differences do exist. Unity, however, requires dialogue and the need to seek consensus solutions for the benefit of our country and our citizens. We shall seek dialogue and promote the synthesis of views. On the other hand, our government will certainly proceed decisively with the promotion of its policy and the implementation of our programme, which constitutes the bond of honour we have signed with the people. Unity in our country will be ensured through the socio-economic policy of our government, which aims to upgrade the mixed economy model. It is a model which has been applied in Cyprus since the island’s independence and which has proven beneficial for our country. We are convinced that this model has not exhausted its possibilities. We believe that it has still a lot to offer, provided that we upgrade it and strengthen it. The model of a mixed economy is based on the cooperation between the initiatives of the private, the public and the cooperative sectors. It is based on the combination of the spirit of entrepreneurship and social cohesion as well as on the existence of a robust economy and high growth rates. Furthermore, it is based on the existence of a socially developed state that supports working people and meets the reasonable needs of the citizens. My aim and ambition is to give substance to the vision we share for Cyprus' future through a productive and constructive dialogue with our people. Our vision is for a future characterized by peace and stability, security and employment for all, prosperity and progress for society as a whole, equality before the law, renewal of political life and modernization of the society, the economy and the state of Cyprus. In the last five years, with our substantive contribution, the government managed to overcome problems and create the prerequisites which, if properly and effectively utilized, may lead to the improvement of living conditions and better days for all of us. Our relation with the people is a two-way street based on mutual respect, common values, principles and ideals. The Republic of Cyprus, as a member of the European Union, will participate actively in developments in Europe, with the goal of realising the vision of a socially sensitive Europe. Cyprus can become a bridge between Europe and the countries in our region and also with countries with which our island maintains relations in the ranks of the non-aligned movement. Bearing in mind that the vision of a socially sensitive Europe is founded on unity through acceptance and respect of diversity and not on the leveling and alienation of peoples and cultures we shall utilize our education, cultural values, traditions and sports in order to reinforce our resistance to injurious influences. Together we shall work for the renewal and modernization of the political, social and economic system of our country. Together we shall work to modernize procedures and the state machinery and make it friendlier and easily accessible to the citizens. Respect for the rights of citizens and the principles of democracy, equality before the law, meritocracy and social equality will be put into action. Decisions at all levels will be taken through dialogue and a collective spirit. Citizens will always have a say in questions that concern and affect them. We aspire to simplify the procedures followed in the public sector, combat bureaucracy and improve the infrastructure and every parameter negatively affecting the daily life and the way of life of every citizen in our country. We attach particular importance to information technology and new technologies. As information technology is one of the pillars of developed societies, we shall invest and make dramatic improvements in this field in our country. We shall work hand in hand with the citizens and give a new impetus to IT in Cyprus, as information technology is closely associated with progress. Research and development and the adoption of new technologies in the industrial sector will give a great impetus to the Cyprus economy. They will increase productivity and improve the competitiveness of Cyprus' industries. These parameters are of decisive importance if the Cypriot economy is to be able to cope with the new conditions created by our participation in the great European family. In the tourist and other sectors there is need to speed up the execution of necessary projects and infrastructure and put in place effective mechanisms for the implementation of decisions and projects. Cooperation between the Government and local administration will be further strengthened for the benefit of the citizens. It goes without saying that we shall honour the commitments we have undertaken towards the local administration. Cyprus can do better. That is why I will give emphasis and ensure that the island will be turned into a centre for education, health and provision of services, in line with the commitments I have undertaken in my programme. Our care and concern for all social groups should be taken for granted. However, I would like to make special reference to the youth of Cyprus. The younger generation deserves to have its own dynamic role in the civic life of our country. Through all our policies we have a duty to give opportunities to young people to show their capabilities and ensure their substantial participation in our society. Our vision for a secure Cyprus in the European family of peace and cooperation is the vision of young people. Social sensitivity, solidarity and response to human suffering will constitute the strongest characteristics of my presidency. My personal history as well as that of the political movement where I come from constitute, I believe, a guarantee for an anthropocentric policy, which will aim at the continuous improvement of quality of life of the citizen. Ladies and gentlemen, My presidency will be a presidency for all Cypriots. The ultimate judge is the common man and the sovereign people before whom I bow.''

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

British PM: Cypriots want progress soon

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that Cypriots have shown clearly, with their choice at the presidential elections, that they want a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question or progress towards this direction in the coming months.Brown’s remarks came in response to questions at the House of Commons, when he was invited to congratulate Demetris Christofias. Brown congratulated Christofias, noting that he extended an invitation to Christofias to pay an official visit to the UK and to discuss with him these matters. ''I believe there are new hopes that it is possible to achieve such a settlement,'' he added.

COMMENTARY

ECONOMIST

A Communist to the rescue

A new Greek-Cypriot president raises hopes for a new unification plan

“Might Cyprus replace Cuba as a holiday spot for starry-eyed Marxists? Demetris Christofias, leader of the Communist Akel party, comfortably won the run-off for president on February 24th, taking 53.4% to 46.6% for Yiannakis Kassoulides, a right-wing former foreign minister. Yet Mr Christofias, a builder's son educated in Moscow, is no red firebrand. He owed his victory to support from the nationalists, with whom he will be in coalition. He has abandoned Akel's Eurosceptic position (it tried to delay Cyprus's adoption of the euro this year) and promised to avoid tax rises. His party is business-friendly: it runs co-operative banks offering cheap mortgages, and Moscow-trained party members earn fat salaries working for accounting and law firms that look after Russian offshore companies. Voters are more interested in hopes that Mr Christofias will make a fresh effort to unify the Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot parts of the island, split since 1974, when Turkey invaded in the wake of an Athens-inspired coup aimed at uniting Cyprus with Greece. Various peace initiatives have failed mainly because of opposition from Rauf Denktash, founder of the self-styled Turkish republic of northern Cyprus. Hopes lifted the moment that Tassos Papadopoulos, the nationalist Greek-Cypriot president, was knocked out unexpectedly in the election's first round. Mr Papadopoulos had persuaded voters in 2004 to reject a unification plan backed by Kofi Annan, then United Nations secretary-general. A huge “no” vote a week before Cyprus joined the European Union meant that the Turkish-Cypriots were excluded, even though they had overwhelmingly backed the plan in a separate vote. Mr Papadopoulos's defeat brought sighs of relief in Brussels. He had infuriated other EU countries by exploiting his membership to press Turkey into concessions over Cyprus. Eurocrats were irritated by a Greek-Cypriot campaign against EU-funded projects in the isolated north. Now, with pro-settlement leaders on both sides for the first time, the odds of a deal have improved. Mehmet Ali Talat, a moderate left-winger who replaced Mr Denktash as Turkish-Cypriot president, is as keen as Mr Christofias to try again. Contacts between Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot politicians withered under Mr Papadopoulos, but Mr Talat's party has kept in touch with Akel through trade-union leaders. Direct talks under UN auspices on confidence-building measures should be the first step, say diplomats. Opening more border crossings, including one in Nicosia's main shopping district, is a priority. But it will be hard to find a deal that both allows the two communities to run their day-to-day affairs and gives Greek- and Turkish-Cypriots a chance to use or sell homes and land in the other half of the island. Turkey will also have to agree to pull out most of its 30,000 troops in the north. There are plenty of obstacles ahead. Mr Talat is hampered by having to be guided by Ankara on big issues. Mr Christofias could find his nationalist partners, egged on by Mr Papadopoulos, unwilling to make concessions. UN officials, anxious to avoid a repeat of the 2004 fiasco, will set tough terms before putting any plan forward. To pull off a deal, Mr Christofias will need all the persistence he once learnt at political-science school in Moscow.”

CYPRUS MAIL

Christofias should use good will to mend fences by Cyprus Mail

“If anyone had any doubt about the depth of diplomatic isolation into which Tassos Papadopoulos had dug himself, it will swiftly have been dispelled this week, with the broad international welcome given to his successor Demetris Christofias.The turnaround is all the more striking given Christofias’ participation in the Papadopoulos government, his personal responsibility for swinging the ‘no’ to the Annan plan through his bizarre “soft no to cement the yes”, and his grotesquely anachronistic Communist rhetoric and political imagery. This after all is the man who branded Britain as the evil demon that had tormented Cyprus throughout its history, who regularly raged against Anglo-American imperialism, and who has warned against neo-liberal forces of global capitalism tearing through the European Union. One may have been entitled to expect him treated with about as much enthusiasm as Hugo Chavez. Instead, within hours he had been invited to talks in London by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and had received warm messages of congratulation from US President George W Bush (welcoming the election of a Communist!) and from the European Commission, as well as from many other European leaders. In five years, the closest Tassos Papadopoulos got to the British Prime Minister was at European summits, while his official visits were hardly a roll call of Europe’s great powers. That Gordon Brown is so swiftly extending the hand of friendship to the man who railed against the “evil demon” is a sign of how personal the isolation of Tassos Papadopoulos had become. It shows that the international community has no axe to grind against the Greek Cypriots; that it fully respects the community’s ‘no’ to the Annan plan. That the world had come to resent was the unremitting bad faith of Mr Papadopoulos, his trench warfare against any attempt to take the slightest step forward, his utter contempt for the Turkish Cypriots and for any effort to relaunch the solution process. What they are welcoming in President Christofias is his repeated desire for a solution and the mandate given by the fact that more than 60 per cent of the electorate voted for pro-solution candidates in the first round of the elections. President Christofias starts his term with a remarkable reservoir of good will from the international community, and the opportunity to reverse the isolation of the Greek Cypriots. Indeed, his decision to appoint European Commissioner Marcos Kyprianou will consolidate the impression that he is serious both about mending fences and negotiating a solution. But he cannot be complacent. Were he to slide back into the comfort zone of empty rhetoric and sterile disputes over procedures and semantics, such good will would fade away as swiftly as the early morning mist. No one expects him to deliver a solution. But he is expected to engage with sincerity, vision and good will.”

THE HERALD

Hope springs anew for Europe’s divided island by STRUAN STEVENSON

“The surprise election victory of former Communist Party chief Demetris Christofias as President of Cyprus may signal an end to the divisions that have split the island since the Turkish invasion of 1974... Papadopoulos, who led the 2004 rejection of the UN reunification plan, was beaten into third place in the first round of elections on February 17, leaving Kasoulides and Christofias to fight it out. The people of Cyprus were so determined to seek a solution to their divided society that they ignored Christofias's communist past. Christofias's victory is the clearest sign yet that Greek Cypriots, particularly the young, were eager to elect a President who sought reconciliation and reunification with Turkish northern Cyprus... 2500 Turkish Cypriots cross daily the green line to work in southern Cyprus, returning to their homes each evening. It is their earnings and a gradually expanding tourist trade that keep Turkish Cyprus going. But what causes real resentment among Greek Cypriots is the way Turkey has sought to re-populate northern Cyprus by bringing thousands of Turkish settlers. The other festering sore is the issue of missing people. Some 1500 Greek Cypriots and 500 Turkish Cypriots are officially registered as missing. Some date back to the fighting between the communities in the 1960s... The pledge of President Christofias is to try to end this pain and heal the wounds. He wants to bring Turkish and Greek Cypriots together around the negotiating table so a plan for reunification can be thrashed out. He sees the future for Cyprus as a reunited federal state and a member of the EU. He claimed throughout his election campaign that the overwhelming majority of Turkish Cypriots shared this vision and longed for reunification. Now that he has won the presidency, the world will watch as he endeavours to realise his dream and put his words into action.”

Struan Stevenson is a Conservative Euro MP for Scotland and vice-president of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament.