Cyprus-Forum.com

[Alexandros Lordos]

I am starting this thread because I found the response of turkcyp to the relevant questions in my questionnaire very interesting. I reprint the questions below, and invite you - GC and TC - to answer them, so that we can begin a fruitful discussion on the subject.


K. Direct trade

The issue of direct trade is being widely discussed these days. How would you evaluate each of the following possible agreements between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots on the matter of direct trade?

(1-Totally Unacceptable, 2-Tolerable if necessary, 3- An acceptable arrangement, 4- A very positive arrangement)


K1. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to allow the return of Greek Cypriot refugees in the closed city of Famagusta, under UN supervision.

K2. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to stop construction over Greek Cypriot properties.

K3. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to repudiate the TRNC and re-define themselves as “the Interim Turkish Cypriot authority, pending the re-unification of Cyprus as a Bizonal - Bicommunal Federation”.

K4. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, without receiving anything in return, on the logic that if the standard of living of Turkish Cypriots is raised now through direct trade, then the financial burden of a Comprehensive Settlement will be shared more equitably between the two communities.

K5. The whole issue of direct trade to be put aside for now, and instead the leaderships of the two communities to recommence negotiations, without delay, for a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem.

[Alexandros Lordos]

Here follow my own responses:

K1. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to allow the return of Greek Cypriot refugees in the closed city of Famagusta, under UN supervision.

3 - Acceptable

K2. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to stop construction over Greek Cypriot properties.

4 - Very Positive

K3. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to repudiate the TRNC and re-define themselves as “the Interim Turkish Cypriot authority, pending the re-unification of Cyprus as a Bizonal - Bicommunal Federation”.

3 - Acceptable

K4. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, without receiving anything in return, on the logic that if the standard of living of Turkish Cypriots is raised now through direct trade, then the financial burden of a Comprehensive Settlement will be shared more equitably between the two communities.

1 - Totally Unacceptable

K5. The whole issue of direct trade to be put aside for now, and instead the leaderships of the two communities to recommence negotiations, without delay, for a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem. [/b]

2 - Tolerable if necessary

[brother]

I agree with the answers given by Alex except the last one which he said was tolerable to me that would be acceptable.

[Kifeas]

K1. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to allow the return of Greek Cypriot refugees in the closed city of Famagusta, under UN supervision.

2-Tolerable if necessary


K2. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to stop construction over Greek Cypriot properties.

2-Tolerable if necessary (The contraction in GC properties is an illegality, any way, and those committing it will be forced one say to demolish everything.)

K3. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to repudiate the TRNC and re-define themselves as “the Interim Turkish Cypriot authority, pending the re-unification of Cyprus as a Bizonal - Bicommunal Federation”.

1-Totally Unacceptable, (The illegalities should not be rewarded in order to be removed.)

K4. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, without receiving anything in return, on the logic that if the standard of living of Turkish Cypriots is raised now through direct trade, then the financial burden of a Comprehensive Settlement will be shared more equitably between the two communities.

1-Totally Unacceptable,


K5. The whole issue of direct trade to be put aside for now, and instead the leaderships of the two communities to recommence negotiations, without delay, for a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem.

3- An acceptable arrangement, (on the assumption that negotiations begin without preconditions such as artificial time limits and more importantly without arbitration by the Anglo-Americans hiding behind Coffee Annan and also that they will be based on European principles, human rights and not on the basis of two people and two states coming together under one roof as Erdogan and Talat preach.)

[insan]

K. Direct trade


K1. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to allow the return of Greek Cypriot refugees in the closed city of Famagusta, under UN supervision.

Varosha and some other areas(particularly agricaltural land) should gradually be given back to GC administration and in return the Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the ports in the north by the interim TC administration.

- Acceptable

K2. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to stop construction over Greek Cypriot properties.

K2. The Greek Cypriots to allow the volunteer Greek Cypriots to exchange, sell, rent their properties to Turkish Cypriotsand in return the Turkish Cypriots to stop construction over Greek Cypriot properties.

- Acceptable

K3. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to repudiate the TRNC and re-define themselves as “the Interim Turkish Cypriot authority, pending the re-unification of Cyprus as a Bizonal - Bicommunal Federation”.

K3. The Greek Cypriots to repudiate the RoC and redefine themselves as the "interim Greek Cypriot authority,pending the re-unification of Cyprus as a Bizonal - Bicommunal Federation”. and in return the Turkish Cypriots to repudiate the TRNC and re-define themselves as “the Interim Turkish Cypriot authority, pending the re-unification of Cyprus as a Bizonal - Bicommunal Federation”.

- Acceptable

K4. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, without receiving anything in return, on the logic that if the standard of living of Turkish Cypriots is raised now through direct trade, then the financial burden of a Comprehensive Settlement will be shared more equitably between the two communities.

- Unacceptable

K5. The whole issue of direct trade to be put aside for now, and instead the leaderships of the two communities to recommence negotiations, without delay, for a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem.

Instead of negotiating a comprehensive settlement; the solution of Cyprus problem should be divided into small parts and resolved step by step. It is obvious that Cyprus problem couldn't have been resolved with negotiations based on a comprehensive solution. It is better to reaffirm the basic principles of bi-communal, bi-zonal federation one more time with a summit agreement and take necessary steps to resolve it step by step.

Step 1)

Voluntary exchange, buy, sell, rent of properties between GC refugees and TC refugees and between interim GC leadership and interim TC leadership. This is one of the main concern of both parties. Let's see what percent of TC refugees would like to exchange, buy, rent, sell the GC properties they have occupied/invested in last 30 years. And let's see what percent of GC refugees would like to exchange, buy, sell, rent the properties occupied, invested by TC refugees. I believe that if in the end, some %80 of TC refugees could exchange, buy, sell, rent the properties they have occupied/invested in last 30 years; they would no longer sell land to foreigners or construct new buildings on GC land. Of course if the concerned GC refugees and GC leadership could agree with TC refugees and TC leadership on the terms; value of the properties and lands etc.


Step 2)

Gradual reduction of military power on both sides of the Island.


Step 3)

Varosha and some other areas(particularly agricaltural land) should gradually be given back to GC administration and in return the Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the ports in the north by the interim TC administration.


Step 4)

Establishing an interim bi-communal council comprise of two communities elected representatives to discuss the measures to be taken to increase social, cultural, economical realtionships of two communities. One of the most important issue this bi-communal council of representatives shoul discuss is the settlers issue. Another important issue is the revision of history text books for reconciliation. And of course, sharing the legislative power and judicial power also should be discussed by this interim bi-communal representatives council.

EDIT:

Return of GC and TC refugees should also be among the primary issues to be discussed by this bi-communal representatives council.

[garbitsch]

K1. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to allow the return of Greek Cypriot refugees in the closed city of Famagusta, under UN supervision.

A very positive arrangement

K2. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to stop construction over Greek Cypriot properties.

An acceptable arrangement, but the cases regarding properties in ECHR should be freezed or transferred to the Compensation Commission in North Cyprus. Latter can be ignored though.

K3. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to repudiate the TRNC and re-define themselves as “the Interim Turkish Cypriot authority, pending the re-unification of Cyprus as a Bizonal - Bicommunal Federation”.

A very positive arrangement, but this administration shall be able to engage in diplomatic relations with the EU and other countries (recognition is not necessary).

K4. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, without receiving anything in return, on the logic that if the standard of living of Turkish Cypriots is raised now through direct trade, then the financial burden of a Comprehensive Settlement will be shared more equitably between the two communities.

Tolerable if necessary, but this won't be accepted by the Greek side. I am rather after the transfer of Varosha to its real owners.

K5. The whole issue of direct trade to be put aside for now, and instead the leaderships of the two communities to recommence negotiations, without delay, for a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem.


Tolerable if necessary.

[metecyp]

K1. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to allow the return of Greek Cypriot refugees in the closed city of Famagusta, under UN supervision.

4- A very positive arrangement (I believe this is the most plausible arrangement for now)

K2. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to stop construction over Greek Cypriot properties.

2-Tolerable if necessary (I don't know if it's possible in practice but tolerable in theory)

K3. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, and in return the Turkish Cypriots to repudiate the TRNC and re-define themselves as “the Interim Turkish Cypriot authority, pending the re-unification of Cyprus as a Bizonal - Bicommunal Federation”.

2-Tolerable if necessary

K4. The Greek Cypriots to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade with other countries, through the direct administration of ports in the north by the European Commission, without receiving anything in return, on the logic that if the standard of living of Turkish Cypriots is raised now through direct trade, then the financial burden of a Comprehensive Settlement will be shared more equitably between the two communities.

4- A very positive arrangement (but I know GCs won't accept it)

K5. The whole issue of direct trade to be put aside for now, and instead the leaderships of the two communities to recommence negotiations, without delay, for a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem.

4- A very positive arrangement (obviously, a comprehensive solution is the best of all so I would like to see the energy go in negotiations)

[Alexandros Lordos]

Are any more GCs also interested to answer these questions? It would provide a more balanced picture ...

[Piratis]

I don't agree that any such dealings should be done.

There are legal ways for the TCs to use if they want to trade. They should simply use those ways until a final solution is found.

[Kifeas]

Are any more GCs also interested to answer these questions? It would provide a more balanced picture ...

There are legal ways for the TCs to use if they want to trade. They should simply use those ways until a final solution is found.

Cyprus is one and only one and indivisible. It belongs equally to all its people, the Cypriots. There is only one people in Cyprus, the Cypriots. Among others, there are Greek speaking Cypriots and Turkish speaking Cypriots. There is no Turkish and no Greek Cyprus. Those who do not feel Cypriots and instead they claim to be Greeks or GreekCypriots or Turks or TurkishCypriots can as well live the country because this country belongs only to the Cypriots.

There are no such terms like GC and TC. There are only greek speaking (gs) Cypriots and turkish speaking (ts) Cypriots.