A NEW meeting between representatives of the Cyprus government and Turkish Cypriots is expected to take place this week, which will determine the Luxembourg presidency’s initiative towards a deal on an EU support package for Turkish Cypriots before it hands over to the British in July.
The presidency is holding meetings in complete secrecy, also keeping other member states in the dark, while the Commission that participated in the two meetings held in Brussels last week is also not being forthcoming on what have been described as “brainstorming technical meetings.”
“Further efforts are needed to overcome the deadlock and find solutions,” was the only comment a Commission source made to the Sunday Mail.
However, according to other sources, hopes to reach agreement have been dampened as “big gaps” remain.
Based on the limited information gathered, which in ‘blackout situations’ can sometimes be wrong or misleading, the issues already raised were: the two Commission regulations for the Turkish Cypriots (direct trade and aid of 259 million euros), the Cyprus government’s proposal for the operation of the Famagusta port by Greek and Turkish Cypriots under the EU with the simultaneous opening of Varosha and a moratorium on construction in the occupied north.
Regarding financial aid, one source believes “consensus is within reach”, while another said the Turkish Cypriots want the money but have two concerns on which the Commission has been trying to reassure them. They are worried it would be hard to spend it because of restrictions and they do not want the Greek Cypriots to have a say in its dispersement or use it to get involved in the north.
The money regulation has been approved but is stalled in the Council because the Cyprus government does not agree with the direct trade. For it to go ahead, the two regulations have to be decoupled but, as one source said, if the Turkish Cypriots agree then no member state would pose a problem. The Commission already agrees.
On direct trade there appear to be very few chances for a deal, even though according to one source if the two sides agree on some guidelines and principles then discussion on the modification of the regulation could begin.
With regard to Famagusta port, apparently there was only a modest discussion on peripheral issues such as what should proceed before it becomes operational and the de-mining of the area, whereas the Greek Cypriots wanted to discuss more. Sources also noted it is out of the Commission’s role to operate a port.
The sources said the Turkish Cypriots rejected a moratorium on development in the north, because it is a good source of income, but appear willing to discuss increased care in planning and environment control. One proposal, seeming to have the EU executive’s support, is to introduce a moratorium on selling to foreigners.
