The translation of the report prepared by TAK News Agency on President Talat's press conference dated 6 March 2008:
President Talat: “We Will Do Our Part so that UN’s Visit Can Serve as the Beginning of Negotiations”... “We Had Proposed the Week of March 17”
This document is prepared by the Presidential Press Office / Office of the Private Secretary to the President and is distributed to the members of the TRNC Presidency Web Site.
PRESIDENT TALAT WILL ARRIVE TO ANKARA TODAY
President Mehmet Ali Talat will be flying to Ankara with the TR Presidency plane, the Ata, to meet with the TR President Abdullah Gül and the TR Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In his visit to Ankara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, Turgay Avcı will also be accompanying President Talat.
DIAZ: “MÖLLER’S TERM OF OFFICE ENDS THIS MONTH ENDING”
Recently appointed as Spokesperson for the United Nations’ Peace Force for Cyprus, Jose Luis Diaz yesterday met with Turkish and Greek Cypriot press members.
In his statement delivered to the Turkish Agency Cyprus (TAK) at the Ledra Palace Hotel situated within the buffer zone, Jose Diaz stated that the term of office for the Special Representative for the UN General Secretary for Cyprus, Michael Möller, will be coming to an end this month ending.
Diaz reiterated that it is of yet not determined as to who will be appointed in Möller’s place.
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PROTEST THE AGGRESSION OF ISRAEL
Palestinian students receiving education within universities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus organised a walk of protest yesterday with Famagusta in protest of the Israeli aggression within the Gaza Strip.
Slogans against Israel were voiced whereby Turkish and Iranian students participated to the demonstration.
NEWS
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Pascoe announced UN Standby Team of Mediation Experts
UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe has announced the creation of a UN Standby Team of Mediation Experts who would help carry out the Secretary-General’s efforts for fast and effective mediation, adding that they could also help in the case of Cyprus. Asked by CNA how this team can help in Cyprus, Pascoe said that, “it depends what kind of negotiations you get into. I only mentioned it for the first time in this connection”. “Clearly”, he said, “there was a tremendous amount of expertise that went into earlier, and negotiations in Cyprus. These are very complicated issues and it is just possible that, that may be called on for something like that again, if we get into serious negotiations, that’s all. I’m not saying anything more about it”. Asked about the UN plans for Cyprus, Pascoe said that, “we’ll have an announcement of what we are going to do, I think probably in the next week or two”. “Certainly”, he said, “the important thing is the developments on the island, what the new leadership of the Greek-Cypriots and the leadership of the Turkish-Cypriots decide when they’ll have their meeting as they work forward”. Pascoe added that “right now we are quite involved through Michael Moller, the Special Representative, he’s been talking to both, has talked to both sides at this point, he is working it”. “So, I think that this process is to move forward. I do not want to make any statements or announcements of what we are doing until it is all tied down and we know exactly what is happening but I think in principle there has been an extremely strong interest in having UN involvement as the two sides trying to work together. So we have said all along that we want to help”, he continued. Meanwhile, UN Spokeswoman Michelle Montas has said that Michael Moeller has in the last week met individually with both Greek-Cypriot leader, Demetris Christofias and Turkish-Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat. “Both leaders have indicated that they are keen to meet each other. UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus has started preparations to host such a meeting which could take place during the second half of this month”, she added. According to UNFICYP, Montas said, the agenda of the encounter will be decided by the two sides, who will also determine how to take the process forward. She added that it is expected that the opening of the Nicosia’s Ledra Street crossing will be high on the agenda, on the meeting’s agenda. “In this context UNFICYP says it is ready to move quickly to have open the crossing once the leaders have taken the decision to do so”, she concluded.
CYPRUS MAIL
DISY to abstain from voting for new House President
DISY will abstain from voting in the election for new House President today because the party does not want to back DIKO leader, and favourite Marios Karoyan for the post. DISY’s central committee decided last night that it would not back Karoyan, neither would the party vote against him. It would not field its own candidate for House President either, DISY spokesman Tassos Mitsopoulos said after the decision was taken last night. “The first decision was that DISY would not claim the presidency of the House with its own candidate, the party leader,” said Mitsopoulos. “The second decision was that the party would not vote against the candidacy of Marios Karoyan and the third was that the party would abstain from voting, and present to the body of parliament its reasons in detail.” Reports say DISY does not want to ‘reward’ the AKEL-DIKO government re-alliance. Karoyan’s candidacy is backed by AKEL, DIKO and the European Party and last night EDEK also threw its weight behind the DIKO leader although initially the socialist party wanted its own leader Yiannakis Omirou to have the post. EDEK spokesman Demetris Papadakis said last night the party had decided to support Karoyan and would not be running Omirou. Papadakis said a vote had not been needed because there had been a general consensus in support of the DIKO leader.
REUTERS
Cyprus peace would bring in billions-academics
Cyprus's economy would gain at least 1.8 billion euros ($2.75 billion) on an annual basis if there were a reunification deal on the ethnically-partitioned island, economists said on Thursday. Economic benefits would come mainly from new business opportunities with Turkey, tourism revenue and construction, the survey sponsored by the Norway-based PRIO peace institute said. "Translated into household income the annual dividend per family comes to approximately 5,500 euros per year," PRIO said in a news release on Thursday. That represented 20 percent of the average income of Greek Cypriots, and 40 percent of Turkish Cypriots, it added... Economic disparities between the two sides are huge. Gross domestic product in the south was 15.5 billion euros in 2007, and approximately 2.0 billion euros in the north in 2006, according to the latest data available. Economists from both sides of the divide based their projections on a seven year gameplan if a settlement were reached in 2009, and using Greco-Turkish trade relations, which have flourished in the past decade, as their reference point....
Wednesday, March 5
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Cyprus and Greece confirm close cooperation
The excellent relations and close cooperation between Athens and Nicosia were reconfirmed during a meeting here today between Christofias and the Greek Premier Kostas Karamanlis. The two leaders agreed on more regular contact and consultations in view of anticipated developments in the Cyprus issue this year and on the need to implement a UN-brokered agreement in July 2006. Christofias and Karamanlis called on Turkey to abandon its intransigence and meet its EU obligations. They also said that Annan Plan is null and void and stressed that a solution of the Cyprus issue should be based on UN resolutions and EU principles and underlined that the Turkish ‘occupation forces’ must withdraw from Cyprus. Christofias expressed hope that the interest shown by the international community will be translated into influence on Turkey so as Ankara will revise its intransigent views and positions as regards a Cyprus settlement. “Today’s meeting as a President with the Greek Premier was as usual very warm,” Christofias said, adding that the governments of the two countries will continue to work hard so as the very close relations will become even closer. He said he briefed Premier Karamanlis on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the meeting he is expected to have soon with Talat, reiterating the Greek Cypriot side’s position that talks should aim at implementing the 2006 July agreement, “the only signed agreement at this moment between the leaders of the two communities.” He said he plans to honor the signature of Papadopoulos and expressed hope that the Turkish Cypriot leader will also honor his signature, noting that the meeting with Talat will aim to explore the intentions of the other side. “Our hope is that during the meeting we will be able to announce the opening of the Ledra street crossing point in Nicosia with a view to open the Limnitis checkpoint, on the northwest,” Christofias said. Referring to the Cyprus issue, he referred to Turkey’s decisive role as regards the prospect of a solution, adding: “It is an occupation force and at the end of the day an agreement must come from the Cypriots, provide for the withdrawal of the Turkish occupations troops, the termination of illegal settlement by Turkish settlers, the recognition of the rights of the refugees to return to their property and of course we must agree on a bizonal bicommunal federation, that will unite the people, the institutions and the economy.” He further said that Greece and Cyprus should coordinate their efforts to ensure that Turkey meets its obligations towards the EU and the Cyprus Republic. Karamanlis congratulated Christofias on his recent election to the presidency and reiterated the close cooperation and coordination between the two governments. “We hope that during 2008 there will be a window of opportunity to achieve decisive progress towards a Cyprus settlement”, Karamanlis said, adding that the “framework is for this solution is UN Security Council decisions and the values and principles of the EU, of which Cyprus is a member state”, Karamanlis said. He called on Turkey to respond positively, showing a sincere will for cooperation and implement the additional Protocol of the Ankara Agreement. “We expect Turkey’s full compliance with the aquis communautaire and we also expect that it will meet all its obligations towards the EU, so as to have a positive outcome in the country’s European course”, Karamanlis said. Responding to questions he said that Athens fully supports the need for the implementation as soon as possible of the July agreement, which will prepare the ground for comprehensive negotiations without strict deadlines or other preconditions. Asked if a revised Annan Plan could be the base for a Cyprus negotiations, he said that the Annan Plan “was rejected in the April 2004 referendum and has therefore become null and void”. “Apart from that, part of the essence of the Annan Plan was a process of strict deadlines for negotiation, arbitration, which was proven unproductive as to the achievement of a mutually acceptable solution,” Karamanlis concluded.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
President's main aim the reunification of Cyprus
Christofias assured on Wednesday that his main aim is to ‘lift the Turkish occupation of the island's northern third,’ restore human rights for all Cypriots and reach a just and functional settlement of the Cyprus problem, in the framework of a bizonal bicommunal federation. He was speaking after a meeting in Athens with President of the Hellenic Parliament Demetris Shioufas, who expressed support to efforts for the resumption of bicommunal talks, aimed at achieving a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem the soonest possible, based on UN resolutions and EU principles. Christofias expressed hope that the Turkish Cypriot community would respond positively to the call for friendship he extended, and assured that he would honour the signature of his predecessor on the 8 July 2006 agreement and hoped Talat would honour his own signature. Christofias said, ‘‘The triumph of multiculturalism under the umbrella of a bizonal bicommunal federation, a functional and just one so that it is viable, is an aim that we cannot deviate from.'' He added that the ''historical compromise'' for a bizonal bicommunal federation ''does not just mean the restoration of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, but is something more and surely does not mean that the restoration of their rights can be made to the detriment of the rights of the largest community, the Greek Cypriots.'' Christofias said that ''the Turkish Cypriot community and the whole of the people of Cyprus need the reunification of the country,'' adding that things were not easy. ''There are many difficulties, but if the Cypriots want to, I believe they can overcome these difficulties,'' he noted. He furthermore thanked the Greek people and political leadership for their support in the struggle to reunite the island, and referred to the close ties of friendship and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. Christofias assured Shioufas that he would closely follow the implementation of the agreements signed between the two parliaments. Shioufas assured ''all our Cypriot brothers that all the political forces of Greece, all MPs, all departments of the parliament, will stand beside the people of Cyprus,'' adding that ''we support your effort for the resumption of bicommunal talks, aimed at achieving a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem the soonest possible.'' e said the solution should be based on UN resolutions and EU principles and be democratic, functional and viable.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Cypriot President meets Greek political leaders
Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou assured Christofias that as President of PASOK and President of the Socialist International he will stand by him in efforts to reach a just solution to the Cyprus issue, in line with UN resolutions and on the basis of the aquis communautaire. Evaluating the current stage of the long standing political problem of the island, Papandreou said there will be new initiatives, noting that the UN-proposed solution Annan plan now belongs to history. He added that there are now opportunities for a new momentum between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots with the support of the EU and the international community, stressing that Turkey’s will is a necessary prerequisite for a settlement in Cyprus.General Secretary of the Greek Communist Party, KKE, Aleka Papariga stressed that the Cyprus issue should be resolved on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions, adding that the US, Britain and the EU should promote this procedure. “Turkey should not be left to lead the dance alone in an issue such as the Cyprus problem”, Papariga said. “We are on the same wavelength. We share the same views with the Cypriot President,” she added. Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) leader Alekos Alavanos wished Christofias success in all anticipated initiatives in the Cyprus issue. “The Cyprus issue is a big problem for Greece’s foreign policy. We are talking about an island, a big part of which is occupied by foreign troops”, he said. Christofias also met with a delegation of Cypriots living in Greece, who expressed their support in efforts to find a negotiated settlement that would reunite the country. Christofias concludes his working visit to Athens on Thursday and returns home tomorrow.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Christofias reaffirms determination to pursue a just settlement in Cyprus
Addressing a state dinner hosted in his honour on Tuesday night by his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias, Christofias underlined that Greece is and continues to be the fundamental supporter of Cyprus people’s struggle to solve the Cyprus question. Furthermore, he reaffirmed the Greek Cypriot side’s determination to pursue a just and viable settlement that will safeguard human rights for all Cypriots and will ensure the unity and territorial integrity of the island. Christofias said that “we continue to pursue a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus question that will terminate occupation and illegal settling, restore and safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots and restore the territorial integrity and unity of our homeland”. Referring to the Turkish Cypriot community, he said that “we will continue to extend our hand” towards it, expressing hope that there will be a response and good will by the Turkish Cypriot side “with a view to work hard together, having as a starting-point the July 8 Agreement.” He also underlined that Turkey must change its stance and behave like a country that wants to join the EU.
It has been reported that the awaited first meeting between the two leaders of Cyprus will most probably take place at the end of March.
The President of the Greek Cypriot Administration Dimitris Hristofyas had met yesterday morning with the UN General Secretary’s Special Representative for Cyprus and The UN Peace Forces Missions Chief for Cyprus (UNFICYP) Michael Möller.
In his statement preceding the meeting, Möller stated that he has began efforts to bring the two leaders together and added, “This meeting will most probably take place toward the end of March.”
On the other hand, President Mehmet Ali Talat will meet with Möller for the second time today.
TWO MORTARS BURIED WITH COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES
The Association for Mortar Families and Disabled Ex-serviceman announced that they have determined the identities of two missing persons.
The association informed that the skeletal remains of Emir Ali Hüseyin and Havva Osman Yalluri, whom were both abducted from the Laçça village and then mortared, were discovered and their identities were determined with DNA testing.
According to the statement produced by the association, the skeletal remains of the two mortars will be buried within the Canbulat Mortar Burial situated within the city walls of Famagusta.
ARCHBISHOP HRISOSTOMOS: “NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM HRISTOFYAS
After his meeting with the President of the Greek Cypriot Administration Hristofyas, the Archbishop of the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church Hrisostomos II stated that unity of the Greek Cypriot people is necessary to achieve many things in our national plight.
In his statement made after his meeting, Hrisostomos II expressed that the church has always adopted a certain stance with regard to the national issue and that cooperation with the government will continue with reference to this stance.
CYPRUS MAIL
Moller to leave Cyprus post at end of March
Moller will be leaving his post at the end of the month UNFICYP confirmed yesterday. UNFICYP Spokesman Jose Luis Diaz, responding to reports over the past few days that Moller would be replaced, said the Danish diplomat would be leaving at the end of the month. “His contract is up,” Diaz said, adding that Moller’s last major task in Cyprus would be to facilitate the setting up of the first expected meeting between Christofias and Talat... Diaz did not want to comment yesterday on speculation that it was the Turkish side that did not want Moller involved in Cyprus talks due to its long-standing perception that Moller was biased towards the Greek Cypriot position... Unconfirmed reports touted Swiss diplomat Heidi Tagliavini as a possible replacement for Moller. Tagliavini served as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Georgia and head of the UN Observer Mission in the country.
CYPRUS MAIL
Christofias optimistic on Ledra deal before Talat talks
Christofias yesterday said he hoped his forthcoming meeting with Talat would bring the opening of Ledra Street. From now on until the day of the meeting, discussions surrounding the opening of the checkpoint are expected to be complete he added. “I want to believe that on the day of the meeting, we will not need to make special discussions (over Ledra Street) and any pending issues will be sorted so we can announce the openin of Ledra Street,” he said before departing for Athens yesterday. He pointed out however that the opening of the Limnitis checkpoint was not expected to happen any time soon. Christofias said the aim was to open the Limnitis checkpoint as well but not as soon as he was expecting Ledra to open. According to the CyBC last night, the government has put forward four points regarding the opening of Ledra Street. The first is for the UN to have control over the checkpoint. A second is that under no circumstances should Turkish troops be able to cross Ledra Stree in any way. Another point was the renovation of the old buildings either side of the checkpoint. And finally the desire to work on the opening of Limnitis was reiterated.
Tuesday, March 4
FINANCIAL MIRROR
Karoyan likely to become new Cyprus House President
The House of Representatives plenary will elect the new President of the parliament on Thursday, after Christofias was elected President. DIKO President Marios Karoyan is widely expected to be become the new President of the House after his party joined the government of Christofias in a grand coalition that also includes the socialist EDEK.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
UNSC expects “something new” on Cyprus issue
There is this general expectation in the UN Security Council that something new might be happening now on the Cyprus issue, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, Vitaly Churkin has said. Asked by a Turkish reporter during a press briefing on the Council's programme of work, if there is more hope for a Cyprus solution after the presidential elections in the island, Churkin said “On Cyprus, I might say that there’s this general expectation in the Council that something new might be happening now on the Cyprus issue”. “As to the treating of the situation the Security Council will not be the first to inject eject in the situation. There are other formats as you know, diplomatically to deal with this matter. So the Security Council will be observing the developments very closely I can assure you,” the Russian Ambassador concluded.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Greek President: Time to end the “unaccaptable occupation” of Cyprus
President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias expressed the conviction that the time has come to end the “unacceptable occupation of Cyprus”. Addressing the state dinner given in Athens in honour of Christofias, President Papoulias reiterated Greece’s steadfast support towards Cyprus’ struggle for justice. “We would like to reassure you that we will continue to be by your side, to see, soon, a free and reunited Cyprus with all its citizens in prosperity”, he said. President Papoulias expressed the conviction that “the time has come to end the unacceptable occupation of Cyprus, a member state of the EU, by Turkey, in order to see the last wall, still dividing a European capital, fall”. He also described the July 8th Agreement, as "an important step towards the above goal" and added that the Agreement should be implemented as soon as possible. Addressing Christofias, he said: “You are assuming the highest rank of the Republic of Cyprus, at a time, which is still difficult”. He continued by saying that “we look forward to a solution of the Cyprus problem without suffocating timeframes, a viable and functional solution, which will ensure the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops and settlers, which will ensure the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation”. The Cyprus solution, he added, “should be based on the relevant UN decisions and resolutions, respect the European values and principles, fully respect the human rights, without foreign interventions or arbitrations”. Christofias arrived Tuesday in Athens for a working visit, during which he will meet with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias, the Greek Premier Kostas Karamanlis and the leaders of the Greek political parties.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
President Christofias arrives in Athens on working visit
Speaking at Larnaca airport upon departure for Athens, Christofias said he will brief the Greek political leadership on Cyprus efforts and will be informed on issues of Greek concern such as the on going dispute on the FYROM issue, noting that the Cyprus Government position is to support the decisions of the Greek Government. As regards the consultations which take place for a meeting with Talat, Christofias, noted that for him the nature of such a meeting is to explore the intentions of his interlocutor. “I would like to ascertain the intentions of Mr. Talat, my intentions are the best, to start a dialogue on the basis of the Agreement of the 8th July”, Christofias said, noting that he wishes to see which were the obstacles that prevented the implementation of the Agreement. Responding to questions on the opening of Ledra Street, Christofias expressed the hope that by the meeting all discussions on the issue will be resolved and the opening of the street will be announced. He further repeated his call for less public statements on either side in Cyprus, if serious work is to be done towards a negotiated settlement. Asked whether he discussed during a meeting this morning with Syrian Charge d’ Affaires to Cyprus, the issue of illegal immigrants coming to the south through the north, Christofias said that on Friday Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister, will visit Cyprus to convey to him a message from President Bashar al-Assad for discussions on issues of common interest. He also described as a pleasant development an invitation extended to him by Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt to visit Sweden, conveyed this morning by Ambassador of Sweden to Cyprus Igmar Lindahl.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Swedish PM invites Cyprus President to visit Sweden
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has extended an invitation to Christofias to visit Sweden. In statements to the press after a meeting with Christofias, Ambassador of Sweden to Cyprus Igmar Lindahl said he conveyed Christofias the invitation by the Swedish Prime Minister, noting that he also expressed his country’s support for the future efforts Christofias will make on the Cyprus issue. “I had a very good meeting with the new President of Cyprus Mr. Christofias and I wanted also to express my best wishes to him,” Lindahl said. Asked how Sweden will contribute to efforts for a Cyprus settlement, the Ambassador said “the Cyprus problem is first of all a problem for the Cypriots,” adding that “we are hoping that the matter will be brought forward at the meeting of the two leaders and Sweden like the other European countries, would like to support efforts in any way we can.” On bilateral relations, Lindahl said “our relations are excellent, which is also shown by the fact that our Prime Minister would very much like to see Mr. Christofias in Sweden to continue our good relations so far.” On the timing of Christofias’ visit to Sweden, he said that Christofias has lots of things to do “and when it’s convenient for his schedule we hope to see him in Stockholm.”
COMMENTARY
FINANCIAL TIMES
Cyprus must overcome challenges and set up a partnership state by Mr Mehmet Ali Talat.
“Last month's elections on the Greek Cypriot side have opened a new chapter in the history of our island. The newly elected leader of the Greek Cypriots, Demetris Christofias, and I now share a grave responsibility: to reach a settlement for Cyprus acceptable to both peoples, based on political equality in a new partnership structure. Much has changed since 2004, when the Turkish Cypriot people voted in favour of the comprehensive settlement plan proposed by then United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, while Greek Cypriots voted against. Ironically, a few days later the Greek Cypriots, who had rejected the UN settlement proposal, were admitted to full membership of the European Union, whereas we, who had just voted to end the division of the island, remained excluded. Despite that disappointment, we remain committed to a European approach and a UN-sponsored comprehensive solution for Cyprus. It will be a comprehensive solution, with a great deal of input from our friends in the EU; but the process must be led by the UN. For four decades the UN has been at the centre of peace-making efforts. There is a vast accumulation of work on the Cyprus problem, which will be the basis of any future discussion and should not be wasted. There will be difficult issues to deal with. Mr Christofias starts from a 75 per cent No vote, whereas I start from a 65 per cent Yes vote. The questions of property rights, of the preservation of our cultural heritage, of security arrangements, and most importantly for partnership in the future government of our island, will not be easy to resolve. But they can and must be resolved. The details can be worked out; the goal is to establish a new partnership state in Cyprus, based on the political equality of the two peoples and the equal status of two constituent states. Only a settlement on that basis will be approved by the peoples of the island in a simultaneous and separate popular vote. The election result demonstrates the desire of Greek Cypriots to change and move forward. I am unreservedly committed to the search for a settlement. I believe a settlement to be in the interests of my people, of the Greek Cypriots, of the island as a whole and of the European Union and the wider international community. I am realistic. There will be tough talking ahead, and problems will inevitably arise. But I am determined to overcome them.”
Mehmet Ali Talat,
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
CYPRUS MAIL
Christofias and Talat to meet by the end of the month
Christofias and Talat are set to meet by the end of this month, UN Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller said yesterday. Speaking after meeting with Christofias, Moller added that Christofias had expressed his willingness to open the Ledra Street checkpoint. “I had a very good meeting with President Christofias and he has told me that he is very keen and ready to meet with Mr Talat as soon as possible,” the UN representative said. “He has asked me to continue working on that. Now, we will start the preparations for that meeting, probably towards to the end of the second half of this month”, he said. Moller declined to comment on whether the July 8 agreement would work as a starting point for negotiations between the two leaders. “Both leaders are very clear of their eagerness to start,” he explained. “They both think there is a good chance for them to do some very good work together and I share their optimism.” Regarding the political context of the leaders’ meeting and whether it should be based on the July 8 agreement, he said that “it is not for me to discuss”, adding: “Everybody knows the positions of Mr Christofias and Mr Talat and they will have to discuss how they can reconcile those positions. That is the whole point of sitting down and having a good discussion.” Moller said Christofias seemed willing to start proceedings for the opening of Ledra Street straight away. “We are also going to continue our preparation work for that and hopefully we will be able to give you some good news very soon,” he said. He added that he hoped the checkpoint would be open soon. “This is something which has to be discussed between Talat and Christofias when they meet and I am trying to make sure that this can happen before the end of the month.” Newly-appointed Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Christofias had made it clear during the one-hour long meeting that he wished to begin fresh talks with the Turkish Cypriot leader, with the July 8 agreement as a starting point. “The President of the Republic reconfirmed his eagerness to work towards a fair, viable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue as soon as possible,” said Stephanou in his first briefing to the media. ''The President of the Republic underlined the fact that for the Greek Cypriot side, the basis of a solution is formed by the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979, which provide for a bizonal bicommunal federation, UN resolutions on Cyprus, and the principles of international and European law,'' he added. “Mr Christofias repeated that the Greek Cypriot side is seeking a solution that will end the occupation and reunify the land, the people, the institutions and economy,” said Stephanou. He added Christofias had “conveyed to Mr Moller his willingness to take initiatives and act in a way that would help create the appropriate climate for the resumption of talks on the Cyprus problem, beginning with the July 8 agreement”. Stephanou also confirmed Christofias’ willingness to negotiate the opening of Ledra Street, but also other checkpoints such as that in LImnitis in the north west of the island. Asked to comment on Mr Talat’s intentions, Stephanou said: “We believe all intentions and inclinations will become apparent along the way.” He added that it would be wiser to await the outcome of the meeting before making further statements on the issue. Regarding the opening of Ledra Street, Stephanou said “what is certain is that we are working in that direction”. Talat will be visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Ankara on Thursday to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus issue. Erdogan was quoted yesterday as saying he expected UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to take a new initiative for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. “He Turkish side is ready to provide full support to such initiatives,” Erdogan said.
Monday, March 3
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
Rival Turkish, Greek Cypriot leaders to meet this month: UN
Rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders are set to meet later this month, the United Nations announced on Monday, as efforts to reunify the divided island intensify after Greek Cypriots ditched their hardline leader of the past five years.... "We are preparing for a meeting between Mr Christofias and Mr Talat before the end of this month," Moller told AFP. "We are working for a meeting for the second half of March. There are no specific dates yet." The victory of communist leader Christofias in a presidential election last month has raised hopes of a new drive to end Cyprus's 34-year-old division. His hardline predecessor Tassos Papadopoulos had led Greek Cypriots in rejecting a UN reunification plan in a 2004 referendum and talks went nowhere during his term of office.... "The president conveyed to Mr Moller his willingness to make initiatives and take actions that are helpful in cultivating the appropriate climate for talks to resume," government spokesman Stephanos Stephanou told reporters. "He reaffirmed his willingness to participate in an exploratory meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat soon," he said. "The effort is for this meeting to start before the end of this month." Last week, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the new president to make a goodwill gesture to help rebuild confidence, something the international community has also been pushing, and on Sunday Christofias said he was ready to push for a comprehensive settlement. "My reply to Mr Erdogan is that we are more than ready, if Turkey is also ready, to find a solution," he said. Christofias said he accepted the principle of a federation between the island's two communities but said a deal also needed to end the ‘Turkish occupation’ of the north.He said he wanted a settlement "which will end the occupation and will restore the country's independence, territorial integrity, the unity of the Republic of Cyprus in the framework of a federation and human rights of all Cypriots." The Greek Cypriot leader said that as a goodwill gesture he was also willing to consider the opening of two more crossing points across the UN-patrolled Green Line that divides the island. "We are ready, under certain preconditions, to open the crossing point at Ledra Street (in the heart of the divided capital Nicosia), just as we are ready to open a crossing at Limnitis" in the northwest of the island, he said. Talks on opening the two new crossings -- to supplement five currently in operation -- had run into repeated obstacles under Papadopoulos's presidency....
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
President Christofias to discuss Cyprus issue in Athens
Christofias has said that his talks with the Greek political leadership are aiming at the coordination between Athens and Nicosia as regards the forthcoming developments on the Cyprus question. In an interview with the Athens News Agency, Christofias, who is departing Tuesday for his first visit to Greece, said that he will have a meeting with Talat in the middle of March after his return from Brussels. Christofias will travel to Brussels to attend the informal European Council to take place on March 13-14. Christofias also said that his first meeting with Talat would be an explorative one. He added that there are issues that the two sides have to discuss such as the Confidence Building Measures, the opening of Ledras Street and of Limnitis checkpoint. Christofias said there is mobility on the part of the UN and the Security Council as regards the Cyprus question, adding that during his visit to the Greek capital he will inform the Greek President and the Greek Government and exchange views with them on the forthcoming developments. Invited to define the obstacles preventing the implementation of the 8 July Agreement, Christofias said that he will ask Talat this question, and pointed out that there is no other agreement endorsed by the UN Security Council. “The signatures of Mr. Talat and Mr. Papadopoulos are under this agreement. I honour Papadopoulos’ signature and he (Talat) must honour his own signature. I hope that we will address the problems which according to the Turkish Cypriot side exist, in a climate of good will and co-understanding, so that this agreement moves on,” Christofias added. Christofias also said that despite the fact that he wants to meet with the UN Secretary General he will not pursue such a meeting for the moment, adding that meetings with UN Secretary General Special Representative to Cyprus Michael Moller are now on the agenda, in view of his meeting with Talat. Replying to another question, Christofias said that the Cyprus question must be addressed in the UN framework, adding that the five Security Council Permanent members must be actively interested in the settlement of the Cyprus question. Asked whether he will seek a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Christofias said that “we will see”, adding that he does not rule out this possibility but Erdogan does. As regards his visit to Athens, President Christofias expressed certainty that “Greece will stand by our side in the effort to revive dialogue for the implementation of the 8 July Agreement.” Moller, who was received today by Christofias, has said that a meeting between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus will probably take place towards the end of the second half of March.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
New (Greek Cypriot) Foreign Minister expects developments in Cyprus
Developments in the Cyprus problem are expected soon, according to new (Greek Cypriot) Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou who took over, Monday, his office from Erato Kozakou – Marcoullis, saying that he starts “hard work right away.” The outgoing Minister said that “difficult times” are in sight, adding that “now we are at the beginning (of developments) and as the new FM stressed his first priority is the Cyprus issue and he expects developments soon.” The new Foreign Minister thanked Christofias for his trust and the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barosso as well as Papadopoulos who appointed him as Finance Minister and recommended him to become the EU Commissioner for Health, a post he held until today. Referring to his predecessor, he noted the openings she had made to the Arab countries, which makes things easier for him as he said, adding that Cyprus, an EU member state has a significant role to play because of to its geographical proximity to the Arab world. On a more personal note, Kyprianou referred to his late father, Spyros Kyprianou, former President and first Foreign Minister of the Republic, noting that as a child he used to visit the Ministry, which makes him part of the “old staff.” Kozakou – Marcoullis expressed her gratitude to Papadopoulos who appointed her as the first woman Foreign Minister.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Archbishop pledges to work for unity
The head of the Church of Cyprus has called for unity on the home front with regard to the Cyprus question, pointing out this is necessary to achieve the best on the national issue. “I had a very good meeting in a very civil atmosphere during which we reviewed developments. There is nothing that divides us, I will support the President,” Archbishop Chrysostomos II said today after a meeting with Christofias. The Archbishop said he agrees with Christofias that there must be unity among the people and added: “I have told him that he will succeed because he has good communication skills and having in mind that our opponent leaves very little room to manoeuvre, the President, I am sure, will expose them on, at least, issues on which there is no agreement.” Questioned on the role of the church on the Cyprus issue, he said the Church had always maintained its own views on this, saying that there can be cooperation. “The Cyprus issue is a national issue, it concerns us all, not just the President or his government, the people have to rally together as in unity lies our strength,” the Archbishop added, noting that he agrees with the views Christofias had outlined during their meeting. Cyprus’ top cleric declined to comment on his support for Christofias’ opponent in last month’s presidential elections. “That belongs to the past. Let go. We look to the future,” he told the press. Responding to other questions, he said he would be seeing the Minister of Education as well to exchange views and referred to unity among the people, bearing in mind national and Christian roots. “The Church has never been asked on the appointment of a minister of education. The President appoints the minister and the President dismisses them. We simply want to have good cooperation,” he concluded.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
New (Greek) Cypriot EU Commissioner assumes duties
New (Greek) Cypriot EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou assumed Monday officially her duties as Commissioner responsible for Health, after the approval of her appointment by the members of the Council of the EU and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso. Vassiliou leaves for Brussels Tuesday morning. In statements with CNA, Vassiliou said that it is very important for Cyprus to be represented efficiently in the EU and develop an important role, despite its size. Vassiliou also said that she would make every effort in order to respond to the role and the duties she has been assigned, ''so that Cyprus will be able to play an important role within the EU.'' Furthermore, Vassiliou said she already had a meeting in Brussels with her predecessor Marcos Kyprianou, who has been appointed as the new Foreign Minister of Cyprus. During the meeting, Kyprianou briefed her on the issues, which the Health Commissioner is currently dealing with. She also noted that Kyprianou told her that he would be at her disposal whenever she needs any explanations or clarifications on current issues. She pointed out the importance of public health issues and noted that she has been invited to be the key speaker during a conference on cancer organised by the EU Slovenian President at the beginning of April. She said that she would attend the meeting of the Commission to take place on Wednesday. Her appointment is expected to be approved by the European Parliament within the next two or three weeks.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
New Government Spokesman takes over office
New Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said here today that he is fully conscious of the responsibility he assumes with the post he has been appointed to. He took over his office from outgoing Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas, who thanked the media representatives for the cooperation they have had during the “important and difficult pre – election period in Cyprus”. Speaking during a ceremony at the Press and Information Office in Nicosia, Stephanou noted that his new duties are of vital importance and demanding, adding that he is fully aware of the responsibility that comes with them. “I will try to be worthy of the trust of the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, who honored me by assigning to me the duties of the Government Spokesman. I will make every effort so that journalists will be able to carry out their work,” he said. General Director of the PIO Yiannakis Solomou noted that one of the most important duties of his office is to inform the international public opinion.
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY
Cyprus President speaks to ANA-MPA
Coordinating the efforts of Athens and Nicosia during upcoming developments linked to the Cyprus issue will be the main goal of the talks he will have with Greece's leadership during a visit beginning on Tuesday, Christofias said in an exclusive interview with the ANA-MPA on Monday. Christofias will be meeting President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis during his first official visit to Greece after being elected Cyprus' president.
Question: Apart from the self-evident symbolism of your visit to Athens, what will be the aim of your talks with the Greek government?
Christofias: "The election of a new president has of itself triggered a new activity. I will meet with Mr. (Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali) Talat. The first meeting will be exploratory. From there on there are issues that are linked to Confidence Building Measures, opening Ledra Street and the road block at Limnitis.
"There is more generally activity from the United Nations, the Security Council. I want to inform the president of the Republic and the Greek government and to exchange views on imminent developments. There will be a friendly exchange of views and I am sure that Greece will be on our side in the effort to revive a dialogue on implementing the July 8 Agreement.
"Also before us is the EU Summit, on which we will exchange views. Of course, I am interested in finding out about developments related to Skopje. I am not going to Athens to build relations. There was flawless cooperation with the former president [Tassos Papadopoulos] but I myself, as Cyprus House Speaker, had very good ties with all of Greece's political leadership."
Question: Will some guidelines be laid down about how Athens and Nicosia will proceed from now on?
Christofias: "I think guidelines exist. What's needed is coordination and briefing."
Question: Will your meeting with Mr. Talat take place after your return from Brussels in mid-March?
Christofias: "Yes."
Question: What is the obstacle to setting the agreement of July 8, 2006 into operation?
Christofias: "This is what I will ask Mr. Talat. That is why I said that the first meeting would have an exploratory nature. After all, there is no other agreement that has been adopted by the Security Council. This agreement bears the signatures of Mr. Talat and Mr. Papadopoulos. I honour the signature of Mr. Papadopoulos, let him (Talat) also honour his own signature. I hope that in a climate of good will and mutual understanding we will see what the problems are, where the Turkish-Cypriot side considers there are problems so that this agreement can go ahead."
Question: "Should the opening of Ledra Street, Limnitis occur before or after the meeting?"
Christofias: "I shouldn't want to prejudice any outcome."
Question: Does Mr. Talat's letter to the UN Secretary-General prejudice some matters?
Christofias: "If everything said about its contents is true, then it is obviously prejudicial concerning some matters. These are issues that I will discuss with Mr. Talat."
Question: Have you asked to meet the UN Secretary General?
Christofias: "At the present stage, I don't want to burden the issues with new demands. Of course I want to meet the Secretary General, but priority in the agenda, for the present, goes to the meetings with (the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Cyprus Issue) Moller in view of the meeting with Mr. Talat."
Question: Given that you have friendly relations with Mr. Talat, could there not be direct dialogue between you without the intervention of mediators for a solution of the Cyprus problem?
Christofias: "The Cyprus issue is within the sphere of the United Nations. I consider that the UN is a safety valve. There is an occupation. The General Assembly and the Security Council have approved a succession of resolutions. Also, our position is that all five permanent members of the Security Council should take an active interest in a solution of the Cyprus problem. Consequently, it is my view that it would be a grave mistake to take the Cyprus issue outside its base, which is the United Nations."
Question: You have stressed that the key to a solution lies in Ankara. Will you seek a direct meeting with (Turkish Prime Minister) Recep Tayyip Erdogan?
Christofias: "We will see this in due course. I do not rule it out at all, but Erdogan does rule it out."
Question: If negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem begin, should Famagusta be handed over by the Turkish side to the UN?
Christofias: "I think that we are pre-empting several things. I would not like to say anything before the first meeting with Mr. Talat takes place and before the National Council convenes. Consequently, I want to be restrained at this time in order for us to do as well as possible."
COMMENTARY
GUARDIAN
Cypriot get-together? By James Ker-Lindsay
“The election of Cyprus's new president offers hope for the islands reunification but there are many difficult issues that will need to be negotiated first.
In the wake of the recent presidential election in Cyprus, there is hope that yet another attempt will be made to reunite the island. Indeed, Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Cypriot leader, even suggested that a settlement might be reached by the end of the year. While it would certainly be good to see the two sides return to the negotiating table, the difficulty of the task ahead should not be underestimated. There is a long list of issues to be tackled. To start with, there is the question of power sharing. As Talat has said, political equality is the key issue for the Turkish Cypriots. While they do not demand numerical parity in state institutions, they nevertheless want to be seen as equal partners in any new state of affairs. Most Greek Cypriots now accept this. However, while constitutional questions - such as the number of MPs, the nature of the presidential system, the weighting of votes - appeared to be rather low on the list of Greek Cypriot concerns in 2004, when the last major attempt was made to reunify the island, this may have been because public discontent was more generally focused on other issues. For most Greek Cypriots, the main issues relate to property and the right of refugees to return to their homes. Under the 2004 UN proposals (the Annan Plan), large tracts of land currently under Turkish control would have been handed back, thus allowing many to return to their previous homes. Indeed, the lines were drawn precisely in order to allow as many Greek Cypriots as possible to regain their land. However, many others would only get a portion of their land back, and would receive compensation and bonds for the rest. Although studies have shown that this complicated system could have worked well, and made many refugees very wealthy, it is unclear whether the system could be replicated again now. Since 2004 a property construction boom in the north has changed the situation considerably. Of course, many Greek Cypriots reject the idea that a price can be put on their ancestral property. They simply want to return home. The Turkish Cypriots accept this, but demand a cap on numbers. This is unacceptable to most Greek Cypriots, who regard the freedom of settlement as a fundamental right. But this need not be a problem in practice. Settled elsewhere on the island, many Greek Cypriots would not want to leave Nicosia or Limassol to return to Kyrenia or the Karpas Peninsula. In this sense, the provisions of the 2004 plan probably meant that most of those who wanted to return would have been able to do so. The question is whether people will be able to look beyond principles and take a pragmatic approach in the name of a settlement. Another issue for Greek Cypriots is the tens of thousands of Turkish settlers who have arrived on the island since the Turkish invasion 34 years ago. While Greek Cypriots deeply resent this attempt to change the demographics, many are also willing to accept that after decades on the island, and with second and third generations having been born in Cyprus, there is a humanitarian component to this question. In 2004 it was proposed that around 40,000 should be allowed to stay. It is unclear whether either side will want to stick with this figure in any new process. For both communities the key issue is security. This is a particularly difficult area for a variety of reasons. First, both sides see themselves as the weaker party. For the Turkish Cypriots, who fear the more numerous Greek Cypriots, the Turkish army is the ultimate guarantor of their safety. However, the Greek Cypriots see the 35,000 Turkish troops in Cyprus as evidence of a large, aggressive neighbour with designs on the whole of the island. Squaring this circle will never be easy. However, it is universally accepted that a significant withdrawal of Turkish troops will have to be part and parcel of any solution. Related to this is the continued existence of the Treaty of Guarantee, which gives Britain, Greece and Turkey a right to intervene in the island's affairs. This has also caused deep resentment amongst Greek Cypriots. However, its continued existence is likely to be a red line for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, who regard it as a legal guarantee of Turkish Cypriot safety. A sensible alternative proposed before would be to introduce a sunset clause, whereby the treaty ceases to have any effect when Turkey joins the European Union. The problem is that security questions will involve compromise by Ankara. For better or for worse, they are not issues that can be decided by the two communities on the island. This is certainly not an exhaustive list of issues to be addressed, but simply a summary of some of the key areas of dispute facing the two leaders. While there is certainly room for optimism that the two sides might soon resume discussions on a settlement, and that the political will exists to reach an agreement, no one should underestimate the difficulties that lie ahead. As 44 years of UN-sponsored talks have demonstrated, solving Cyprus will never be an easy task.”
