by zan » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:46 am
Current affairs | EU and Cyprus problem
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
In my previous articles on the Cyprus issue, I had discussed various factors, which ultimately lead to a comprehensive and acceptable solution to this long standing problem, besides hinting at a possible re-launch of peace process between the two sides. Last week, presidents of both parts met to dilate upon different aspects of the problem and how to settle various issues such as power-sharing; distribution of property; governance, etc. It was perhaps a first substantive contact between the two sides in the decades-old division of the island, credit of which should also be given to the UN representative Alexander Downer, who described the talks as productive and a step in the right direction. From Cypriots point of view, the engagement of the UN should be regarded as a highly significant and encouraging development, as in 2004, when Greek side had turned down the UN-led referendum for renunciation; the watch dog body had decided to disassociate itself from the issue. However, they are once again on board, which should augur well in terms of an early solution.
Why I am optimistic this time about a possible breakthrough in terms of an amicable settlement is the way European Union (EU) is taking interest in this issue and exhorting, especially the Greek side for pursuing the talks seriously, with a view to finding out an acceptable solution. The question, however, is that how these talks are going to be an exception as compared to the past parleys, held at the highest levels and even between the presidents of the two sides? Many reasons can be put forth in support of this view that this time both sides really want to settle this problem, and that is why the EU is evincing curiosity in finding a way out, but the main reason is some important developments that have recently taken place at the world stage. Independence of Kosovo, of course was a factor, which forced the EU to re-think its policy about the breakaway states declaring independence. As pointed out in my previous pieces on the Kosovo issue, this breakaway part of Serbia announced to go independent in February 2008, at the behest of the US and many EU states, including the powerful ones like Germany and France.
Now by recognising Kosovo, the EU perhaps had set an example for itself to give recognition to all breakaway states in future and therefore they had to recognise Northern Cyprus as well in case the latter would decide to go independent. An independent Northern Cyprus, just next to a an EU member state would have been disastrous for EU itself keeping in view the protracted animosity between the two communities, which had taken tens of thousands of lives. After Kosovo independence, the world had started criticising the EU for exercising double standards and supporting the dissenting voices. The EU leaders, on their part, too had this sense of, what my be called, guilt and therefore wanted to make for their faux pas by garnering solution to other similar issues in order to stymie them from further deterioration.
The EU’s impartiality happens to be at stake after Russia has recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia and called upon the world, ostensibly the EU and the US to recognise these two breakaway states of Georgia! Now, going by the very principles adopted by the EU while recognising Kosovo, it ought to give recognition to these two states as well since peoples of both these states want separation from Georgia and would like to live their own lives in a way that best suits to them. On the same grounds, Kosovo went independent and was readily recognised by the world community, including the EU.
Then, EU-Turkey relations are not progressing at pace they need to be only because the unresolved Cyprus issue serves as a main stumbling bloc in this regard. Ankara too has a strong realisation of this fact and that is why it has a genuine desire of getting this issue resolved sooner than later for only then its bid for a full membership of the EU may see some positive progress. The Northern Cypriot leadership had many dashes to Ankara during past few weeks in order to seek Turkish guidelines for talks with the Greek side. It is because of the pro-active and non-hostile approach of Ankara and Athens as well that two communities now can undertake peace parleys with an ease.
On April 3, 2008, the Cypriots achieved yet another milestone by pulling down the barricades that had separated them for half a century, by reopening the Ledra Street, a potent symbol of Cyprus’s ethnic partition. This important development took place in the wake of two sides’ willingness to re-open talks for the re-unification of the island, divided in 1974 after Turkish troops foiled Greeks Cypriots’ attempt to materialise island’s enosis (union) with Greece. Some emotional scenes were witnessed on the occasion and there was a majority of people who would not believe that this had happened. I have personally visited Ledra Street on many occasions and met with people living there so I can rightly share feelings of people living in that street and how important it was for them to see inhabitants of both sides crossing over and meeting their near and dears ones. The recent meeting between the presidents of two sides was a sequel of that confidence building milestone, achieved in the shape of opening of the Ledra Street.
Next meeting between them is taking place on September 18 in which leaders would try to pick up threads where they had left them at the last meeting. Of course, power sharing and governance issues are such that it would require leaderships of both sides to show extra political will and sagacity and above all a greater sense of accommodation to iron that out. The UN is also expected to send its special representative to be privy to the talks and help both sides at least identity the key areas where the future contacts would focus. It is, of course, a tall order and may take many more years when both sides are able to achieve the historic re-reunification of the island but at the same time both sides can surely reduce this time span provided they show maximum flexibility and greater political will.
