THE window of opportunity for an agreed settlement of the Cyprus problem will be open for the “next few weeks” or “months”, and a solution may include transitional periods of adjustment, US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday.
Obama, in Greece on a two-day official visit, was responding to a question on how he could press his Turkish counterpart to “end the occupation of Cyprus”, which could mean that the reference to a transitional period could relate to a possible post-settlement timeline for the withdrawal of Turkish troops, which have held more than a third of the island since 1974.
“I think there’s a window in the next few weeks, months, where this issue [could] be resolved,” the US president said.
“If we can find an equitable solution, it won’t provide 100 per cent of what either side wants, [and] there may be some mechanisms for a transition, from the status quo to the future that both sides envision, but I think it’s achievable.”
In prepared remarks following a meeting with Greek premier Alexis Tsipras, Obama said the two discussed Cyprus, where the prospects for a “just, comprehensive, and lasting solution are the best they’ve been for some time”.
“It doesn’t mean that success is guaranteed, but the possibility of resolving a decades-long conflict is there, and we urge the parties to continue the work,” Obama said.
“We’re hopeful that a solution that’s durable, which would create new economic opportunities for all the people across Cyprus, is within reach. And it would be a powerful example to the world of what’s possible with diplomacy and compromise.”
Ultimately, he added, this is a negotiation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and the “good news” is that the two communities’ leaders seem genuinely committed to finding compromises.
The Greek prime minister said he and Obama discussed the need to find a fair and viable solution based on UN resolutions, as well as Cyprus’ capacity as a member-state of the European Union.
“We expressed our support to the extremely crucial and important ongoing intercommunal talks,” he said.
“These talks bring hope, but also call for very careful handling, as major issues remain open. But trust can’t be fostered on the island without the withdrawal of occupying forces, and the abolishing of the outdated system of guarantees.”
Tsipras is scheduled to meet President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday, when he arrives in Athens to brief the Greek government on the latest developments in Cyprus problem talks following a week of intensive negotiations with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in Switzerland, which are set to resume on Sunday for a final push on the contentious issue of territorial adjustments.
If agreement is reached on territory, an international conference attended by the two communities, Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom – the Republic of Cyprus’ three guarantor powers – and perhaps other international stakeholders, in order to try and hammer out a comprehensive, self-executing solution.
“As far as Greece is concerned, we support efforts at a solution and stand by President Anastasiades, while declaring our readiness to engage with Turkey in discussion only on the aspect that concerns us, which is the issue of guarantees,” Tsipras said.
Meanwhile, in a letter to Akinci on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence by the Turkish Cypriots – announcing the internationally unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey continues to support talks for a settlement to the Cyprus problem.
“As a guarantor power, Turkey supports the process of comprehensive negotiations for the establishment of a new, federal partnership, based on bizonality, bicommunality, and two equal component states,” he said.
“A just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem can only be achieved through a mutually acceptable agreement.”
Earlier, however, Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim told ruling party AKP’s parliamentary group that Turkey wants a solution for Cyprus that will include rotating presidency and its “effective guarantees” – both not acceptable to Greek Cypriots.
“Negotiations are ongoing in Cyprus,” Yildirim said.
“The goal is to end the injustice that has been going on for years on the island. The Greek Cypriot side represents the entire island and the TRNC is under embargo. These negotiations aim at lifting this injustice.”
Whatever the end result, he added, a solution that “strips our Cypriot brothers of their rights to equal representation will never, ever be accepted”.
“We, too, wish for a settlement that will include rotating presidency between the two sides,” the Turkish premier said.
“In order for incidents of the past not to recur in Cyprus, Turkey’s effective guarantees must continue. Those who propose alternatives must not delude themselves.”
