 |
| Author |
Message |
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
‘We rolled out the carpet to invade’
By Stefanos Evripidou
TURKEY MUST change its stance for there to be an end to the division of the island, but it wouldn’t go amiss if some Greek Cypriots acknowledged that “we rolled out the carpet” for the invasion, said President Demetris Christofias yesterday.
Turkey is correctly condemned for its occupation “but we rolled out the carpet to Turkey to invade and occupy and not leave Cyprus. I don’t hear that being mentioned by various platforms”. This has to be acknowledged if Greek Cypriots want to win over the international community, said Christofias.
Until both communities apologise to each other, and Turkey too for its crimes against all Cypriot people, then we will not move forward, he added.
Speaking at the annual meeting of overseas Cypriots last night, Christofias called on those who have “already begun to exert pressure on the Greek Cypriot side” to stop doing that and instead exert pressure on Turkey so that Ankara cooperates to reach a solution in Cyprus.
“Turkey has to terminate the occupation and its policy to bring illegal settlers to the island and acknowledge the inalienable rights of all Cypriots. Turkey’s friends in Europe and elsewhere must advise Ankara to do so, instead of covering tactical moves and even threats against the Republic of Cyprus,” he said.
Christofias noted progress had been achieved in the direct talks but that he expected more. “But I have to say that we do not agree with those who are pessimistic, nor do we agree with those who say that there has been great progress,” he added.
Speaking off the cuff, the president had a few words for those Greek Cypriots who joined the Turkish Cypriot side in criticising him on key positions. Christofias referred to the rotating presidency proposal where all Cypriots would vote in direct elections on a common ballot in an effort to create unity in the country.
“Only that way can we free ourselves from the nationalism and chauvinism, which haunts us all these years,” he said.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Bananiot
Warnings : 1
Deputy
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 1244
Location: Nicosia
|
|
| Brave words from the President. |
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Downer: Ayios Mamas fiasco a ‘bump ‘ in the road
By Jacqueline Agathocleous
UN SECRETARY General Ban Ki-moon may visit the island before the end of the year, his special envoy to Cyprus said yesterday.
Alexander Downer was quizzed by reporters over whether Ban was planning to visit Cyprus any time soon.
“I am not sure that it’s very soon because you realise, the UN General Assembly is having its debate which begins in just over two weeks’ time, so the Secretary General needs to be in New York for that,” said Downer.
“We will see how his programme goes and how things go here. I would like to feel the Secretary General was able to come here before too long but we don’t have any particular time for it at the moment”.
“I would certainly hope it will be before the end of the year but according to my current planning, I expect to be in New York the week after next to see the Secretary General then and that’s the sort of thing we can talk about,” he added in response to questions.
Downer was speaking after he met President Demetris Christofias to discuss the cancellation of Thursday’s planned meeting between the two leaders, which didn’t go ahead over the doomed pilgrimage by Greek Cypriots to occupied Morphou to attend the Ayios Mamas service on Wednesday
Downer confirmed a new meeting had been scheduled between Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat next week.
He expressed his satisfaction at Christofias and Talat’s decision to talk about the failed pilgrimage trip over the phone.
“Obviously we are disappointed with the events that occurred over the past couple of days, I have made that clear,” he said, adding that there would be good days and bad days, as is natural in such negotiations.
“There’s a lot at stake here, there’s the future of Cyprus at stake here, so this is not a small matter, this is a very big issue, and a very serious issue,” he said.
“So you could not ever imagine the talks could go smoothly every single day. There was a bump in the road, and there will be more bumps in the road ahead, you can be sure of that. There will be problems that will arise from time to time.”
The important thing for everybody, he added, was to focus. “The central question is how to build the bizonal, bicommunal federation. That’s the central question and it is important that people do not get too distracted on the way through.”
Asked whether the Ayios Mamas issue would be discussed by the leaders when they meet next Thursday, Downer said: “I couldn’t predict what they will say, the meeting is in six days; a lot of water will flow under the bridge between now and then”.
The important thing was to keep the process going, he said.
Asked if he would help smooth things out, Downer said: “We can be helpful and we are helpful here and will continue to endeavour to be helpful”.
“I am not going to go into any of the details of what we have been discussing with the two sides, but I think they are developing their visions now on how they want the second round of the negotiations to progress. So I think it is perhaps judicious not to say too much about that”.
He said the second round would be different from the first. “They have quite a lot of convergence and they need to focus again on the areas of divergence and see how they can couple together agreements there and see how it goes,” he said.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
‘When money talks, people set aside their differences’
By Lucy Millett
THE REACTION to the launch of the Stelios Award for Business Co-operation in Cyprus has been ‘overwhelming’, with 36 solid applications received so far from a wide range of entrepreneurs and businesses across the island.
The award was established by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the serial entrepreneur and founder of easyGroup. The expressions of interest have been so numerous that Haji-Ioannou has decided to extend the deadline for entry from August 31 until September 11 2009.
The award was formally launched in Nicosia on July 6 at an entrepreneurial event involving “some bi-communal business networking” hosted by British High Commissioner Peter Millett.
Around 120 Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot small business owners attended the event, responding to the chance to meet a future business collaborator.
Announcing the award in April, Haji-Ioannou, whose parents were born in Cyprus, told the British press that he wants to “break down the barriers” between the country’s north and south, saying: “When money talks, people set aside their differences.”
Haji-Ioannou has pledged to give away as much as €1 million of his own money over the next four years to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship and bi-communal business teamwork in Cyprus, and help to foster cross-border relationships.
The award is targeted at young, dynamic businesses in need of growth funding. It aims to reward those who are best able to demonstrate effective teamwork, mutual trust, and prospects for business viability.
The entrepreneurial teams must show island-wide entrepreneurial activity, and consist of at least one Greek-Cypriot and one Turkish-Cypriot, each born in Cyprus. Up to five winning teams will be presented with a personal cheque for €50,000 from Haji-Ioannou, who will review applications personally.
Commenting on the initiative, Haji-Ioannou said: “I am delighted at the response we have received so far for the award.
“I set it up in the hope that it could help to break down the barriers that exist between the island’s north and south – which are currently divided by different languages, religions, and cultures.
“The volume of and quality of applicants demonstrates that the potential is there to foster a long-term spirit of business co-operation.”
Haji-Ioannou is best known for creating easyJet in 1995, at the age of 28. Today, he owns and runs easyGroup, a holding company that operates the “no frills” low-cost business model under several “easy” brands in sectors such as car rental, internet cafés, hotels, cinemas, and cruise ships. He is said to be worth £1.3 billion.
For more information, visit www.stelios.com/cyprus-business-cooperation
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Greek Cypriot side ‘partly to blame’
By Jacqueline Agathocleous
PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias has admitted the Greek Cypriot side was partly to blame for the outcome of the planned Agios Mamas pilgrimage on Wednesday, according to political sources who attended the meeting with the President on Thursday.
At the meeting, according to the sources, Christofias had briefed party leaders about what had happened at the Limnitis checkpoint on Wednesday.
The President, they said, underlined the fact that it was the Turkish Cypriot police’s lack of flexibility and negative stance that was to blame for the pilgrimage’s cancellation.
This, he added, had led to the cancellation of his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, which was meant to commence the second round of direct negotiations between the two community leaders.
But he did say there was complete mayhem at Limnitis on Wednesday, with the list of names that would be attending the church service in Ayios Mamas being “incomplete and insufficient”, which riled the Turkish Cypriot authorities.
Christofias admitted the state should have been there to help and coordinate the pilgrims’ transportation to occupied Morphou, as well as to stop them being hassled by the Turkish Cypriot policemen, who “found the opportunity to harm the direct negotiations”.
According to an official government announcement on Thursday, Christofias contacted the Turkish Cypriot leader by phone to report the negative stance of the Turkish Cypriot side.
Talat reportedly recognised the mistakes made by his side, but stressed that the whole matter had been handled very superficially by the Greek Cypriots.
The two leaders agreed to discuss the matter on September 10, when the second round of negotiations will begin.
During the presidential palace meeting, opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades couldn’t help criticising the way the whole affair was handled by the state; this, he said, indicated a complete lack of strategy for the direct talks.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
...i add this article because it demonstrates a willingness on the part of Christofias, once again, to show humility...something which requires a great deal of courage from a politician. |
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Marriage across the divide
By Lucy Millett
A GREEK CYPRIOT woman and a Turkish-Cypriot man were married last Friday in the first inter-communal marriage for years.
The wedding between Greek-Cypriot Georgia Chappa and Turkish-Cypriot Murat Kanatli took place on the Greek island of Samos, near the Turkish mainland.
After growing up on opposite sides of the Cyprus divide, the couple were brought together only after the opening of the checkpoints in 2003. They met at an inter-communal gathering in Nicosia the following year and quickly discovered that they had a common interest — both are committing to breaking down barriers and bringing the two communities of Cyprus together.
Chappa, 38, a clinical dietician, is involved with a women's group, Hands Across the Divide, while Kanatli, 36, leads the New Cyprus Party, a small leftist group that works towards rapprochement.
As their relationship blossomed, the couple initially kept their families in the dark. When the secret was finally revealed, they had to face the objections of their families as well as the intimidation of nationalists on both sides.
A few years ago, Chappa had eggs thrown at her car while she and Kanatli were driving in Nicosia. Kanatli’s outspoken peace advocacy often exposes him to the jeering criticism of extremists in Turkish-Cypriot community who call him ‘the Turkish-speaking Greek Cypriot’. About a year before he met Chappa he was attacked and beaten while filming an extremist rally.
The relationship survived these knocks and the couple’s patience was rewarded by gradual acceptance from their families and friends. Kanatli told the Associated Press (AP) in an interview: “They get it as a relationship between one girl and one boy…we’ve come to that stage”.
The acceptance is not yet complete. Chappa told AP Greek Cypriots who were told about her wedding typically reacted with “Have we run out of men?”
The couple do seem to have managed to overcome the practical difficulties of a mixed marriage: They live in the free areas, but also spend time in the north. They communicate with each other in English but each is taking lessons in the other’s mother-tongue. And while Chappa is Greek Orthodox, Kanatli, who was born Muslim, describes himself as an atheist.
They continue their work towards a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem and reconciliation between the two communities.
The couple were married on September 4 in a civil ceremony in Samos’ town hall. Relatives from both families were present. Fittingly, the mayor who married them, Philipos Petrouskos, was also busy organizing a festival of Greek-Turkish friendship.
Petrouskos told the AP said he was "very moved" that Chappa and Kanatli had chosen his island for their wedding, and hoped they would "go on in life in unity."
After the ceremony the relatives and guests celebrated to bouzouki music in a local tavern.
Chappa has said that she believes such unions will become commonplace. She said that when the barrier opened in 2003 encounters between the communities were a novelty but now movement between north and south was slowly becoming normal.
"At some point it will become normal with relationships as well."
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Ban to meet the two leaders
THE UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be meeting with both leaders in the coming weeks, confirmed a UN spokeswoman yesterday.
Speaking during her daily briefing in New York, Marie Okabe, said the Secretary-General was expected to meet with each of the leaders, President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in the coming weeks.
In light of recent leaked UN documents, the spokeswoman stressed that a solution to the Cyprus conflict “cannot be imposed from the outside”.
She said the UN message to both sides and to everyone else is that “the leaders have a critical opportunity before them to arrive at a settlement and we encourage them strongly to seize that opportunity while it exists”.
Okabe added that the Secretary-General was expected to meet with each of the leaders in the coming weeks “and will reinforce that same message with both”. Talat’s spokesman announced earlier this week that he had requested a meet with Ban on the sidelines of the General Assembly this month, but it was not confirmed until yesterday that the SG would be able to slot the Turkish Cypriot leader into his tight schedule.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Elders: Cypriot media ‘scathing and pessimistic’
By Simon Bahceli
THE CYPRIOT media on both sides of the Green Line was slammed yesterday by the visiting Elders who said the glut of negative reporting could hamper Cyprus’ latest effort to resolve the island’s decades-old divide.
“What we hear here is that the press is rather negative, skeptical, critical and we think that the role of the press in a country like Cyprus is to educate. We think that it is in the interest of everybody if there was more faith, more support, more understanding for what these two very courageous leaders [President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat] are doing,” said Lakhdar Brahimi at press conference yesterday rounding off a two-day visit to the island.
The Elders is a non-governmental organisation created in 2007 by British businessman Richard Branson and musician Peter Gabriel, and aims to assist in solving conflicts across the globe. Its members include elder statesmen such as Neslon Mandela, Desmond Tutu and former US president Jimmy Carter.
Also speaking on the media’s negative role in Cyprus’ ongoing dispute, Brahimi’s fellow Elder Gro Brundtland said she had been disappointed by the way the Cypriot media tended to take a pessimistic and scathing attitude towards efforts to resolve the problem.
“It’s important everywhere to have responsible reporting,” she said.
“The media is very influential on public opinion, so one should think, what can the media do to stimulate the opportunity to reach as solution?” She added that too often the media focused more on the tragic events of the past rather than on what benefits a solution could bring in the future.
Aside from their criticism of the Cypriot media, Brahimi and Brundtland said they were encouraged by the goodwill and determination of other players in the conflict. Their visits to Athens and Ankara prior to their arrival in Cyprus had left them feeling hopeful.
“It was made very clear to us and repeated by several of those we met that they support strongly the negotiations that are going on between the two leaders in Cyprus,” Bundtland said.
She said also that the attitudes of the leaders and others they had met in Cyprus left them with the impression that a solution was not an impossibility.
“Today we have seen both leaders and we are encouraged by what we have heard,” she said, adding that they had received a “very clear sense that they had a successful second phase starting meeting yesterday. They are optimistic and determined”
But Brahimi made it clear he and his colleagues in the Elders were not naïve enough to think solving the Cyprus problem was easy and warned that the current framework for negotiations was “the only game plan” and one that was accepted by “everyone everywhere”.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Trade growing across the divide
By George Psyllides
TRADE IN goods from the Turkish-occupied north in the framework of the Greek Line Regulation has increased by more than a third during the year that ended in April, the European Commission said yesterday.
“The total value of goods entering the government-controlled areas under the provisions of the Greek Line Regulation was €6.1 million, up 36 percent on the previous year,” a Commission statement said.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Oli Rehn welcomed the results.
“I am particularly encouraged by the further substantial increase in Green Line Trade,” Rehn said.
The regulation, introduced in 2004, provides the legal basis for people and goods to cross the Green Line the separates the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
The Commission said Green Line trade now accounted for over 10 percent of Turkish Cypriot trade leaving the northern part of Cyprus although smuggling across the divide “remains a matter of concern,” the Commission said.
The Commission said people crossing the line at the authorised checkpoints worked well. “However, the number of third country nationals crossing the line illegally … remains significant.”
Authorities have arrested 5,525 illegal migrants during this period.
Despite reinforcing the surveillance of the divide, “additional effort is needed in this respect” from the Republic and the British bases, the Commission said.
The EU has previously criticised the government for not doing enough to stem the flow of illegal immigrants.
The government has said that the Green Line is not a border but a cease-fire line, and such conditions require a particular approach.
Cyprus joined the EU as a whole but the acquis communitaire has been suspended in the north, which is beyond the control of the government.
Rehn said the Green Line Regulation would not be necessary after a comprehensive settlement and reunification of the island.
“The commission’s priority now must be to support the settlement.”
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Leaders upping number of meetings
By George Psyllides
THE LEADERS of the two communities have decided to increase their meetings at least for October, officials said yesterday.
President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat talked for 90 minutes yesterday, in their second meeting of the second phase of negotiations.
“They plan to meet next on October seven and eight and also on October 14 and 15,” UN special envoy Taye-Brook Zerihoun said after the meeting yesterday morning. “(They) have decided to keep this accelerated pace – to meet at least twice – in the coming month.”
So far the pace has been once a week. The scheduled meeting for October 2 has been deferred.
“This is quite positive and they are up-beat about it themselves,” Zerihoun told reporters.
In the mean time representatives and experts from both sides will meet to discuss the proposals submitted by each side on the executive with a view to narrow differences or to come up with bridging ideas.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace after the meeting, Christofias said the two leaders decided to hand over their proposals concerning governance to their experts for processing.
“We decided that the proposals given from both sides on the issue of governance – new revised proposals – to be given to the experts for further processing,” he said.
Christofias said the proposals were “improved.”
“There is a change by the Turkish side on the issue of the executive authority,” the president said.
The Turkish Cypriot side had proposed that the president and vice-president of the new state, created after the problem was resolved, should be voted by the senate.
“We have a different view. We want the president and vice president to be voted by the people,” Christofias said.
Talat said the proposals were referred to the experts “to try, if possible, to bridge the two.”
Christofias said it was likely that in the next meeting the two leaders would most likely discuss the property issue.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Christofias: we want the foreigners to be helpful without intervening
By Stefanos Evripidou
THE TWO sides are converging on the issue of governance but have yet to reach the finish line, said President Demetris Christofias yesterday.
Speaking after a second meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat this week, Christofias said: “There are convergences, there are positive elements on the table regarding governance, but I cannot say that we have a final result.”No agreement was reached yesterday on the executive of a united Cyprus, though according to the UN Special Representative, Taye-Brook Zerihoun, the two leaders “discussed each other’s proposals in a very constructive manner”.
Speaking from the north, Talat said the talks went well, adding that both sides presented “wise and correct” proposals responding to the concerns of the other. Christofias noted that the Turkish Cypriot side neither rejected nor accepted the Greek Cypriot revised proposals.
The two leaders will continue discussing governance and external relations next week and begin the second reading on property. If they fail to come to agreement on executive power, the issue will likely be moved to the third “basket” of issues for which no convergence has been found. These issues will then form the fodder of a give-and-take session between the two leaders in the final round of negotiations.
“We expect difficulties in the near future and everyone must show the utmost self-restraint, political maturity and determination to claim our rights without violating our principles,” said Christofias.
The two leaders began yesterday’s discussions with the symbolic planting of two olive tree saplings in the UN protected area at Nicosia’s old airport. They also agreed to a timetable of meetings for the next three weeks, pencilling in another five meetings by November 6.
Also before yesterday’s session, they met representatives of civil society from both sides.
Fifty NGOs handed a resolution to the two leaders, pledging to support the process by “opening and maintaining channels of communication, building mutual trust and promoting reconciliation between the two communities”.
The resolution calls on both leaders to properly inform the general public on the negotiations so that it may discuss the details of any progress achieved and possibilities for the future “in a positive and constructive way”.
Clarification on the ongoing negotiations will help avoid vagueness, confusion, unfair and uninformed criticism, said the NGOs.
In turn, the two leaders pledged to do all they could to achieve an agreed and mutually acceptable solution which will reunify the island. Diverting from the tactic of his predecessor, Christofias praised the role of the NGOs, noting “we need a Cyprus for the Cypriots”. The president identified foreign intervention as the greatest source of the island’s problems.
“We want the foreigners to be helpful without intervening in the internal affairs of the United Federal Republic of Cyprus…We want a Cyprus, which will belong to its children, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,” said Christofias. To achieve this, he added: “We have to work in a friendly atmosphere, understanding and meeting the concerns of both communities.”
Talat highlighted that the will and support of the people for an agreed solution was needed “to really establish a peaceful country, a peaceful United Cyprus”. He added that support from the international community, of “any power which may have any positive say”, was also needed in the talks.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Leaders bite into property issue
By Stefanos Evripidou
THE TWO leaders avoided deadlock over the “hot” property issue yesterday by giving their respective aides some homework to do first, without having to budge on their divergent positions of principle. They also displayed the first tentative signs of a common communications strategy.
The two leaders met for over two hours yesterday to discuss property where they stuck to their initial positions: the Greek Cypriot side maintains the dispossessed owner should have the final say on their property, while the Turkish Cypriot side argues for more of a balance between the rights of the current user and original owner.
However, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and President Demetris Christofias overcame the mountainous hurdle by ordering their respective aides to meet next Thursday to prepare certain criteria on the property issue first.
Speaking on his return to the north yesterday, Talat described the latter decision as “a very good development” since it avoided deadlock and showed the Greek Cypriot side’s good will. He noted that the property issue had neither been completed nor postponed. The two leaders will return to the issue once the two aides, Georgios Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, complete the groundwork.
Christofias confirmed that the only common position of both sides on the property chapter was that both recognised the original owners as owners. From there on, each had a different view on whether priority in a settlement should be given to the original owner or current user.
The president said the two leaders would come back to the issue in ten days. Invited to comment on whether Talat respects the decisions of international courts on properties, Christofias replied: “We’re getting into things which will have me putting words into his mouth which have no relation to his views, so let’s not get into that now.”
A well-informed source told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that the two aides were asked to list the different types of properties concerned, whether they are being used, have been developed on or not, and then look at the range of possible remedies available, for example, compensation, exchange or restitution.
The two aides will prepare the ground for the leaders to engage in a “fruitful discussion on this because if they just stick to their principles, they won’t get anywhere”.
Regarding the much-debated proposals floating around on the federal executive, concerning rotating presidencies and weighted voting, the same source said that the two sides had managed to narrow them down to two complete bridging proposals. “Let’s put it this way, if the Cyprus talks fail, it won’t be down to the executive,” said the source.
Christofias’ top adviser, Toumazos Tselepis has come under repeated attack in recent days over the authenticity of his academic qualifications. The personal attacks appeared during commentators’ discussions on the latest Greek Cypriot proposal on the executive. Asked to comment, Talat expressed empathy, saying the Turkish Cypriot leadership has experienced similar attacks. It was to be expected from people on both sides who don’t want a solution, he added.
According to the UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer, the leaders will meet again next Tuesday to discuss the competencies of the federal government and external relations.
Meanwhile, bigwigs of the Turkish diplomatic scene are gathering in Ankara today and tomorrow to discuss the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and map out a plan to speed up the process and help get a result from the ongoing negotiations.
According to reports, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will head a meeting at the ministry with the participation of heads of missions abroad and ministry officials to evaluate the latest developments and discuss ways to accelerate the process. Any steps taken to help the process will likely have a positive impact before the key European Summit this December which will decide whether to impose any sanctions on Turkey for failure to meet its obligations to Cyprus and the EU.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Turkey says it wants to speed up Cyprus negotiations
By Stefanos Evripidou
TOP TURKISH diplomats met throughout yesterday at the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara with the stated intention of discussing ways to speed up negotiations on the Cyprus problem and secure a solution in the coming months.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu attended the meetings, along with top Turkish diplomats and ambassadors from London, Athens, and other EU capitals. Discussions on how to approach the Cyprus talks in the coming months will continue today.
Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou yesterday doubted the stated objectives of the Ankara meetings, arguing that any decision to speed up the process and support the talks could only come from a high level, and not through meetings with diplomats.
“I believe they are preparing, because Turkey has started to come under criticism for not contributing to the talks, and not meeting its EU obligations,” said Kyprianou.
The minister said the top diplomats were summoned probably to discuss this criticism and “how they will pass on their own messages”.
Turkey will come under the microscope this December when the European Council will discuss the European Commission’s progress report for Turkey. The report highlighted areas where Turkey had made progress but also areas where it failed to meet its EU obligations. These include the failure to implement the Ankara Protocol, where it would open its ports to Cypriot vessels, and normalising relations with the Cyprus Republic.
The Cyprus government has made it clear that it cannot allow Turkey to progress in its EU accession path unhindered if the candidate country fails to take any steps towards solving the Cyprus problem or meeting its EU obligations. President Demetris Christofias has said Cyprus would go it alone if necessary in the European Council in imposing sanctions against Turkey, though close cooperation with the new Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is expected.
The most likely scenario is the freezing of chapters in Turkey’s accession negotiations. There are currently eight chapters frozen out of a potential 35. Another option is simply blocking the opening of new chapters, though how many Cyprus could block before becoming a pariah of the Council remains to be seen.
One chapter that some member states are keen to open is the energy chapter. Turkey has carefully developed its importance to Europe’s energy supply, given its involvement in the Nabucco and South Stream natural gas pipe lines.
Speaking at the Fourth Plenary Session of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly in Istanbul yesterday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated his government’s desire to solve the Cyprus problem by the end of the year. Erdogan was quoted saying if both sides take the same win-win approach, the issue could be solved by the end of the year.
The Turkish leader reiterated the view that Cyprus should not have joined the EU before a solution, claiming German Chancellor Angela Merkel was of the same opinion.
He warned that if Cyprus said ‘no’ to one chapter, then all would be over. He also emphasised that as a ‘motherland’ and guarantor power, Turkey would only sit down in talks with the Greek Cypriots if Greece and the Turkish Cypriots were also invited.
DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades is heading a Cypriot team of deputies in Istanbul and is expected to talk at the Assembly today.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Day of togetherness in old Nicosia
By Zoe Christodoulides
FRIENDSHIP and understanding between communities will be a dominant catchphrase in Nicosia next Sunday as two interlinking events bring the need for unity to the fore.
The day will start off with hundreds of kids, parents and teachers descending on the historic centre of the capital on both sides of the Green Line as part of an educational bi-communal event.
Organised by the United Cyprus Platform and the Cyprus Association for Historical Dialogue and Research among other local groups, the occasion is publicised as one that will bring revived hope for peace on the island.
All about uniting youth and educationalists from both communities, they will spend the morning exploring Nicosia and many of its historical buildings. As ideas are shared and friendships are formed, organisers hope to cultivate a spirit for change.
The walk will then end with plenty of food and chatter at the Rainbow Festival organised by KISA (Action for Equality, Support and Anti-Racism).
Marking the 11th event of its kind, the multicultural festival in the park by Eleftheria Square has become well known for bringing all nationalities and cultures together in one all-embracing affair.
“There are definitely more crowds coming to the event now than before. Last year we had lots of people from diplomatic bodies, offshore companies and various cultural centres,” says KISA head, Doros Polycarpou. “But what we haven’t seen is any increase in Greek Cypriots coming to the event: that’s still a big barrier that we haven’t managed to break.”
Filled with plenty of vibrant entertainment including music and dance, crowds can watch shows, enjoy a nibble from various international cuisines, and pick up all sorts of information on activities and organisations related to migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and foreign students.
Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou will also be speaking at the occasion which has now become officially recognised by the Ministry of Education and Culture. “This year Cyta Vodafone also asked to support the event which shows some good recognition on a wider level,” explains Polycarpou.
The same festival will also come to life in Limassol the following weekend on Sunday November 8, with all activities centred opposite the Catholic Church in Molos. On both occasions, festivities will begin at 11am and will end at 5pm. Entrance to the festival is free and organisers are happy to see as many people as possible to take part in celebrations.
n All those wishing to take part in next Sunday’s walk can contact walksinnicosia@gmail.com or call 99-372147
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
|
|
| Quote: |
Leaders ‘understand each other better’
By Stefanos Evripidou
THE TWO leaders yesterday got to “understand each other better” regarding the competences of a federal government while their aides will meet tomorrow to prepare the groundwork for the next topic on property.
According to UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer yesterday, the two leaders had a “good, open discussion” on governance while President Demetris Christofias noted “the chapter of governance cannot be completed easily”. He added that the two did not discuss external relations during yesterday’s talks. Both governance and external relations will likely be picked up during one of next week’s two meeting planned for Monday and Friday.
Speaking on his return from the talks, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said the two sides have different approaches to the issue of federal government competences. On a more positive note, Talat said the two leaders used the meeting to ask each other questions and exchange proposals. Although no conclusion was reached, the two got to understand each other better, he said.
The leaders’ respective aides, Georgios Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, will meet tomorrow to expand on the criteria involved in the property issue, creating a list of the different types of property in question (used, developed, vacant) and potential solutions (like restitution, compensation or exchange). The property issue “is one of the very difficult issues” which needs a lot of work, Downer noted yesterday.
Talat is due to fly to Ankara tomorrow to meet with the “Big Three” in Turkey: President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. He is taking his negotiating team with him, particularly the experts on the governance and power chapter.
The Turkish Cypriot leader said he will also be briefed on the latest two-day meeting of Turkish diplomats in Ankara to discuss the Cyprus problem, from which there might be some “new ideas”, he said.
Opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades is also travelling tomorrow to attend the European People’s Party Summit where he will meet with 13 heads of state and government on the sidelines of the summit to discuss Turkey’s role in the talks. He will also meet with Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek.
Anastassiades yesterday handed Christofias his party’s official positions on the president’s latest proposal on the executive, regarding the rotating presidency and weighted votes. DISY spokesman Haris Georgiades said it was not about being for or against but about taking into account the whole negotiating framework. The document confirmed that DISY was not dogmatic or absolute in its positions but ready to enter into a serious and responsible discussion on the relevant issues in the talks.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| |
 
 
Link Partners
605118 Attacks blocked
|
Register 
Log in 
Album 
Home