If the EU wishes to contribute to the settlement of the Cyprus issue, it should acknowledge the existence and the will of the Turkish Cypriots, the Turkish foreign ministry said on Monday in response to criticism by UN foreign policy chief Josep Borrell of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Varosha on Sunday.
The Turkish foreign ministry said that the views expressed by Borrell on the fenced city of Varosha and settlement of the Cyprus issue “have once again revealed how disconnected the EU is from the realities on the island and exposed the fact that it ignores the free will of the people of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) reflected in the ballot box.”
Erdogan, who was in the north on Sunday to mark 37 years since its unilateral declaration of independence (UDI), visited Varosha amidst reactions on both sides of the divide. The planned picnic however did not take place due to bad weather and his late arrival.
To Erdogan’s, but also Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials’ statements, that a two-state solution needs to be negotiated on the basis of sovereign equality, Borrell said in a written statement that the EU’s message was very clear: “there is no alternative to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem other than on the basis of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.”
Borrell, who is likely to pay a visit to Cyprus and Greece before the European Council of December 10-11 when the EU leaders are expected to discuss EU-Turkey relations, said that Sunday’s developments in Varosha come at a time when attempts to create space for dialogue are ongoing.
He said the EU was fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, and to reunification based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, within the UN framework. The EU, he said, has reaffirmed the importance of the status of Varosha, as set out in relevant UN Security Council resolutions while “no actions should be carried that are not in accordance with these resolutions.”
He called on Turkey to contribute in concrete terms and undertake responsible actions with a view to creating a conducive environment for negotiations.
The Turkish foreign ministry hit back on Monday.
“Being used to ignoring the existence and rights of the Turkish Cypriots, the EU now dares to rule out the Turkish Cypriot people’s will towards a settlement,” it said.
It added that it should not be expected from the EU to contribute to the settlement arguing that it does not refer to the Turkish Cypriots in any of its statements, and it did not fulfil any of its promises to the Turkish Cypriots.
It reiterated that the BBF model has been tried for more than 50 years in Cyprus, and it has not yielded any results because the Greek Cypriot side does not consider the Turkish Cypriots as an equal partner and does not want to share power and wealth.
Erdogan’s visit to Varosha was also condemned by President Nicos Anastasiades.
Erdogan, and the illegal regime, he said, chose the “dark anniversary” of the north’s UDI “to create new fait accompli on the ground, demonstrating in practice, that Ankara does not respect at all international legality, European principles and values, and its obligations toward the EU, boastfully showing contempt and violating the relevant decisions and resolutions of the UN”.
During his visit in Varosha, Erdogan said that the Greek Cypriot owners of the properties could be reunited with their homes once they apply to Turkey’s immovable properties commission (IPC). He added these properties will be reinstated or their owners will be compensated.
The government on Monday reiterated its position that Varosha refugees should not file to IPC to claim their properties in the fenced area.
Government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos said that mass applications to the IPC for properties in Varosha, would pose very serious risks.
In statements to the Cyprus News Agency, Koushos said he fully respects people’s right to property and everyone was free to make decisions on matters concerning their properties, but stressed that the legal advisers of the government, both in Cyprus and abroad, share the view that a possible mass filing of appeals to the IPC for properties in Varosha, “poses very serious risks, as not only does it not prevent, but in fact encourages Turkish plans in relation to the fenced off area of Varosha and the prospects of reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem.”
Main opposition Akel backed this position, with its leader Andros Kyprianou saying that the government’s approach on this issue was “correct”.
Speaking to Astra radio on Monday morning, Kyprianou said that when applications were filed to the IPC back in 2014 there were hopes regarding the negotiations at that time.
“Today,” he added, “it is uncertain whether talks will begin, and things are changing course.”
