‘What could not be achieved in 20 months has been achieved in 20 days’
CYPRUS marked “a momentous occasion” yesterday as negotiators for the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities launched negotiations that will pave the way to fully-fledged negotiations in just over two months time.
The occasion, held at the UN protected area in Nicosia, was led by Acting Head of the UN in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar, who said yesterday’s inaugural meeting was, like the opening of the Ledra Street crossing, “one of many markers on the road to reconciliation”.
Under UN auspices, aides to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leadership have formed working groups and committees whose discussions will pave the way for the fully-fledged negotiations set to start in just over two months time.
The six working groups will discuss “day-to-day issues” relating to relations between the two communities, while the seven committees will deal with the core elements of a future agreement. The groups and committees will deal with issues as wide-ranging as governance, crime, security and the environment.
Speaking in the presence of the 26 committee and working group leaders, and the chief Cypriot leadership aides George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, Spehar said a “current climate of optimism” existed in Cyprus, providing “renewed hope for progress in the peace talks”.
She added that “when you look… at the heads of the technical committees and working groups… you see the reason for this optimism. They are the evidence of the commitment and determination of the two leaders, Mr Christofias and Mr Talat to reach a comprehensive settlement”.
Iacovou and Nami appeared to share Spehar’s sense of history and optimism, prompting Iacovou to say he felt “a sense of elation” as negotiations began.
“I also feel a certain sense of history,” he added.
He also offered some advice to the negotiating teams, saying, “I would urge you most earnestly to regard your opposite numbers not in any kind of confrontational spirit, but as fellow-workers with a common cause.
“We have as our common cause the long-standing aim of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality as provided by Security Council resolutions in a country of peace and prosperity for all its people,” he added.
Nami was also upbeat about the start of negotiations, saying that “what could not be achieved in 20 months has been achieved in 20 days”.
He admitted however that forming the groups and committees was “the easy part”, the “new challenge” was “much more ambitious”.
“Together we have to achieve what could not be achieved in 44 years and reach a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue”.
This would only be possible if both sides “change our ways” and “start thinking as a team and not as rivals”.
“Learn to hear the interests while listening to positions,” he urged, concluding that “getting emotional, angry, intransigent will be luxuries we cannot afford”.
Spehar said she also hoped the progress shown by the setting up of the committees and working groups would prompt the UN Secretary General to appoint a special envoy to oversee negotiations.
WORKING GROUPS
Governance and Power Sharing
Headed by: Andreas Mavromatis and Hilmi Akil
EU Matters
Headed by: George Vassiliou and Erhan Ercin
Security and Guarantees
Headed by: Sotos Zakheos and Fazil Can Korkut
Territory
Headed by: Alekos Siambos and Ahmet Erdengiz
Property
Headed by: Erato Marcoullis and Hasan Findik
Economic Matters
Headed by: Michael Sarris and Vargin Varer (standing in for Hasan Ali Bicak)
TECHNICAL COMMITTEES
Crime and criminal matters
Headed by: Andros Kapardis and Hakki Onen
Economic and Commercial Matters
Headed by: Dionysis Mavronikolas and Hasan Kilic
Cultural Heritage
Headed by: Takis Hatzidemetriou and Ahmet Erdengiz
Crisis Management
Headed by: Marios Lysiotis and Dogan Sahali
Humanitarian Matters
Headed by: Symeon Matsis and Sadettin Topukcu
Health Matters
Headed by: Charis Charalambous and Asaf Senol
Environment
Headed by: Kostas Kadis and Mustafa Alkaravli
