TALKS between Greek and Turkish Cypriots will resume next Thursday in Nicosia but if they fail, both sides will allow UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan to fill in the blanks in his settlement plan and send it to separate referenda.
The historic agreement was reached in New York yesterday following three days of intensive negotiations, which ended in 12 hours of shuttle talks on the 33rd floor of the UN headquarters as both sides plus Greece and Turkey deliberated over the UN compromise on the terms for the resumption of talks.
Announcing that a deal had been struck, a beaming Annan, who almost washed his hands of the Cyprus problem a year ago at The Hague when Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash rejected his plan, said last night was a “good evening for Cyprus”.
“We have not yet solved the problem, but I really believe that, after forty years, a political settlement is at last in reach, provided both sides summon the necessary political will,” he said at news conference where he congratulated Denktash and President Tassos Papadopoulos for the “courage and political will they have both shown in the last three days”.
The compromise deal provides for direct negotiations between the two sides on changes they want to the Annan plan. In the absence of an agreement by March 22, Annan said he would convene a meeting of the two sides with the participation of guarantor powers Greece and Turkey in a concentrated effort to agree on a finalised text by March 29. The terms also include a technical and financial role for the EU.
“As a final resort, in the event of a continuing and persistent deadlock, the parties have invited me to use my discretion to finalise the text to be submitted to referenda on the basis of my plan,” Annan said.
Effectively the agreement means that irrespective of the outcome of the negotiations, once the UN has filled the gaps, referenda will be called, which will be the final test for the controversial Annan plan.
“The referendum is not only significant. It is decisive, because ultimately it is the people, the Cypriots themselves, who are going to decide whether this settlement is going to come about. That is how important it is,” said Annan’s special Cyprus envoy Alvaro de Soto who has worked intensively on a Cyprus solution for the last three years.
The Peruvian envoy said it was the UN’s hope that it would not be necessary to resort to having Annan fill in the blanks He said it would be preferable if the two sides came to an agreement between themselves.
“We have the impression that this time there is a different mindset and that negotiations should work much better than what transpired during the previous three and a half years,” he said. “It is first and foremost a meeting between the parties and that there is a role also for Greece and Turkey.”
De Soto told journalists that he had a “good feeling” this time around. “We think that it is within reach and we have solid reasons to believe that on the basis of the commitment shown by the parties and by Greece and Turkey… if they match that with the necessary determination and the hard work that needs to be done, it can be done, I think there is solid grounds for hope,” he added. “I think what has become clear now on all sides is the realisation that a settlement is not only inevitable but highly desirable for them and clearly in their interests.”
De Soto did not dismiss the fact that the turnaround, particularly from the Turkish side, was connected to Cyprus’ EU entry on May 1 – and also with Ankara’s EU aspirations, which come up for review in December.
“It is quite clear that certain events in the upcoming calendar had something to do with what is happening now,” he said. “What I am now more convinced of than I was before is that there is a consciousness on the part of all the leaders concerned that the Cyprus problem needs to be resolved on its merits simply because it should not be allowed to fester.”
Annan’s compromise on the terms for the resumption of talks was based partly on his own conditions, combined with a similar proposal from the Turkish side and a vague reference to the EU after the Greek Cypriot side threw the Union into the equation at the last minute and asked that the bloc be involved in the negotiations.
A surprised EU Commission enlargement spokesman Jean-Christophe Filori said Europe was ready to become involved if all sides agreed. The Turkish side did not and the wrangling began for a reference acceptable to both sides. An overnight barrage of diplomacy by the US and Britain convinced the Greek side to back down, diplomats close to the talks told Reuters.
But Papadopoulos still seemed pleased with the reference to the EU that was included and said he was satisfied that the government had achieved “what we have been asking for over the past nine months: that is the resumption of negotiations under the UN Secretary-general’s auspices”.
“This time, the talks between the parties – with the assistance of Greece and Turkey, as well as the EU – I hope will lead us to a positive outcome to decide to put to referenda the solution that will emerge”, he said. “But whether the talks succeed or not will depend on the change in the attitude of the Turkish side and on whether it will demonstrate the necessary political will,” he added.
Denktash – who arrived in New York carrying Ankara’s roadmap and went on to accuse the Greek side of delaying everything for 11 hours “for one paragraph” – also looked pleased. “This is the beginning of the process,” he said. “The entire issue is reaching an outcome while protecting our people’s rights. Turkish Cypriots need not be worried. Their rights will be secured,” he said.
Annan said the EU would become involved in the technical and financial aspects of the negotiations but he made it clear the bloc would have no political involvement. “We have lots of work to be done on laws, on constitutions and economic and financial aspects where the EU will have to work with us to ensure that whatever we do is in conformity with the requirements. So moving forward we expect to work with them… the EU is not involved at the key negotiation stage.”
Also commenting on the EU angle, De Soto said: “Obviously there are some issues that concern the EU and particularly the Commission very closely and so that consultation was needed. It is fully our intention not only to continue that collaboration but to beef it up and the Secretary-general.” He added that Annan had asked him to stop in Brussels on the way to Cyprus next week to firm up on the arrangements.
Annan said a lot of hard work was still needed and there were still tough questions ahead but if all sides showed the same courage and goodwill they have shown in the last three days during the next three months “I believe there is now a real chance that, before the first of May, Cyprus will be reunited,” he said.
“All concerned now face historic responsibilities to bring about a just and lasting peace in Cyprus. I wish them well, and look forward to working closely with them.
“Obviously I am very pleased that we are where we are, and I hope the parties are going home satisfied and pleased. I hope the people of Cyprus are happy and will encourage their leaders to sustain the leadership and wisdom they have demonstrated.”
In Athens Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis described the agreement as “a substantive and decisive turn for the final solution of the Cyprus problem”. In a written statement, Simitis said the agreement created the conditions for a “substantive negotiation in a context that excludes delays”. He also said he hoped the Turkish side “will negotiate in good faith this time”.
“I look forward especially to the expressed will of the EU to contribute to forming the final agreement”, Simitis added.
In Ankara Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told a news conference: “We hope that everything is resolved by May 1 with a mutual agreement and after that Cyprus enters the EU as a new partnership. It will be a symbol of peace, stability, development, and cooperation in the region. That’s our wish and that’s what we’re working for. “Of course this doesn’t mean it will be easy. Certainly after the negotiations begin, it will be difficult and work will be needed. Again, patience and good will be needed. Everything isn’t finished.”
Goodwill messages also poured in from other members of the international community, among them Britain, EU presidency Ireland and Commission President Romano Prodi. “The Commission considers that the chances for a comprehensive settlement have never been better,” he said. “There is no place for barbed wires, minefields and peacekeeping forces in the European Union.”
