The Turkish president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Mevlut Cavusoglu, yesterday referred to Cyprus’ “tragic past” when repeating the aim for a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.
Speaking at the European Speakers’ Conference yesterday, Cavusoglu said he hoped negotiations between the two community leaders would have a positive result as soon as possible, while he reiterated the UN’s estimations that a solution was within grasp and the opportunity should be seized.
”We know that the island has a tragic past,” said Cavusoglu. “The Council of Europe, including its Parliamentary Assembly, has returned to the Cyprus issue on many occasions and with many initiatives.”
He added: “The aim has been, and still remains, if I may use the words of the Parliamentary Assembly’s Resolution 1628 of 2008, to find a lasting and comprehensive solution for a peaceful and united Cyprus, which would guarantee the legitimate rights of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, in full compliance with the values and principles of the Council of Europe.”
Cavusolgu said the Council was heartened that talks between the two sides were back in progress. “We hope and trust that they will bear fruit as soon as possible. As President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, I can only reiterate the words of UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, when he stated his conviction, a few days ago, that a settlement is within grasp and the opportunity must be seized,” Cavusoglu said.
He noted that ”one of our initiatives towards this end is the Council of Europe’s European Forum Cyprus,” which is co-financed by the EU and ”provides a platform for young Cypriot leaders from all walks of life in the two communities on the island.”
”It is meant to foster the social contacts and discussion between the two sides, and thereby contribute to mutual respect, confidence and cooperation between future generations of Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, a necessary condition for a peaceful and prosperous Cyprus,” Cavusoglu pointed out.
“Cyprus has been a crossroads for civilisations over the millennia,” said Cavusoglu. “I hope that Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, legend or not, will inspire us all, not only in working in close unison together at this Conference, but also in the task of bringing the two parts of Cyprus closer to each other.”
Referring to the first theme of the Conference, concerning the rights and responsibilities of the opposition in parliament, Cavusoglu expressed certainty that the delegates would be able ”to identify various areas where we can do better than we have so far in safeguarding the rights and responsibilities of an opposition in parliament.”
”For what is government, what is indeed democracy, without a lively, constantly questioning, irksome, irritating opposition? How can we sharpen our arguments unless others, who we want to convince, question them? It is no coincidence that in the best functioning democracies, the end result of the process ‘thesis versus anti-theses’ is ‘synthesis’, in which majority proposals incorporate at least some elements advocated by the opposition,” he said.
He pointed out that ”political life seems to be best when there is at least a degree of compromise between the majority and the minority, and this presupposes a certain give-and-take between them. When the opposition feels that its views get heard and it is respected, it will also feel greater responsibility for the business at hand.”
Referring to the second theme, concerning national parliaments and international human rights law, and the implementation of the principle of non-discrimination, Cavusoglu said ”we are asked to consider ways in which we may ensure non-discrimination not only in the life of our parliaments, but in any set of legislation that we vote.”
He added: “For me, the increasing intolerance and discrimination in our societies are one of the biggest challenges of the era of globalisation. With the consequences of the economic crisis, these problems have become even more acute,” he said, adding that ”the foundation of our common European home must be built on an open society based on respect for diversity, not an exclusion, not on discrimination, not on fear and certainly not on hatred.”
In order to fight discrimination, said Cavusoglu, legal instruments are necessary. But he added, “we must also strive to improve the general climate in our societies and therefore we must enhance intercultural dialogue, including its inter-religious dimension, we must eradicate racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, islamophobia and all kinds of similar phobia leading to discrimination and intolerance.”
