NEVER before has there been such a concerted international consensus on the content and procedure for a solution to the Cyprus issue. It is therefore with good reason that people are saying this is the first time that the Cyprus issue stands a very good chance of being solved.
The anguishing question is no longer whether a solution will be found or which form it will take, but whether once a solution is found, assuming it gains approval in the referenda, it will work. Will the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots want to co-operate sincerely for the good of the people of Cyprus as a whole or will they act as they acted after the Cyprus Republic was founded 45 years ago?
The answer that it will all depend on the content of the solution is not an answer. The content of the proposed solution is in its basic terms known to all. Any improvements to the Annan plan will be a positive but not a decisive factor of whether the solution will work or not.
The solution will be a partnership. Any partnership, whether business or political, that does not work on the majority principle, has to rely on the good will of the partners in order to function and be viable.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question posed is that everything will depend on the good will of the two communities and more specifically on the good will of their leaders.
We know that a federal solution will no doubt have many disadvantages, its viability constantly tested. However, a federal solution does present certain undeniable advantages: the reunification of our island, the accession of a united Cyprus to the European Union, the return of peace to the island and the prospect of considerable financial growth, to name but the most significant. If the political leaderships of the two communities do not appreciate these advantages and insist instead on an absolutely negative approach, homing in on the functional and other basic weaknesses that the system will inevitably present, then we will have a repetition of the destructive attitudes that characterised the years after independence in 1960.
In order for there to be peaceful coexistence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, there is a need for faith and dedication to the solution from both communities and particularly from the ‘Mother States’. If this precondition is not fulfilled, it would simply be better for a solution never to be signed.
If, based on our bitter experience of the issue, we assume that such good will may not be assured, what would be the factor that would guarantee it to begin with?
Four factors will force the leaderships of the two communities to demonstrate the required will for co-operation after a solution is found:
First, the unifying factor of the European Union, within which both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will be obliged to function.
Secondly, the definite, extremely strong desire that everyone has not to return to times gone by, times of nationalistic feelings and conflict, and the desire never to disturb the peace in Cyprus again.
Thirdly, the financial connections and co-operation and the common financial interests of both communities.
Fourthly, the continued guardianship of the international factor, which will not allow the compromise it has overseen to perish.
It is certain that the European spirit of overcoming nationalistic differences, which is expected to prevail with the accession of a united Cyprus to Europe, will change political views and attitudes. Once a solution is found, one may wonder if the people of Cyprus – Greek and Turkish Cypriots – will be the same people as before. The example of Lebanon, where two weeks after reconciliation and without coming under the European protective umbrella, the country was reunited socially, geographically, financially and commercially in such a short period of time, is indeed a striking one.
The dynamics of European attitudes and the international environment today will help to overcome wounds that both communities caused each other. Proof of that is the peaceful mingling of the two communities for almost a year since the controlled movement across the green line began last April. The national and religious differences can no longer be cause of dissolution within the remit of globalisation of everything. Respect and tolerance of one another are the basis of human symbiosis. Consensus and compromise are at the core of the modern political culture of Europe. They cannot but prevail in Cyprus as well.
We live in a multicultural, multi-religious and multilingual world. In order for the future of Cyprus to be conquered we need leaderships that have a vision for the future, not leaders who want to live in the past.
If Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are lucky enough to be ruled by inspired and broad-minded leaders, who will aspire and work hard to implement a solution, they will be able to build a brilliant future for Cyprus and the Cyprus people as a whole.
Panayiotis Demetriou is an MP for DISY and an observer to the European Parliament
