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Who’s in town? Cyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou
Posted By Josh Rogin Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 2:25 PM

With the announcement Apr. 2 of "significant progress" in the dispute between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island of Cyprus, the State Department was able to put out some good news on an issue that has been a diplomatic quagmire for a very long time. The U.S. has conflicting interests in matters relating to Cyprus. The recognized government of the island is a member of the European Union and follows established norms of democracy and human rights. Meanwhile, the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community in northern Cyprus has strong ties to Ankara, a NATO member and ally American needs support from on a host of issues, including Israel and Iran.

Cyprus's leaders, who have de jure, but not de facto control over the island's territory, are cognizant of the fact that they have to persuade the United States to support them in their struggle with Turkey. With elections in the Turkish Cypriot community coming up, many feel this is the last, best hope for an agreement on joining the island under one political system before leadership changes throw all current negotiations into flux.

That's why Cyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou came to Washington late last month to meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including Rep. Howard Berman and Sen. Jeanne Sheehan. Following the meetings, he sat down with The Cable for an exclusive interview.

JR: What exactly do you think the U.S. role is in what's called the "Cyprus problem"?

MK: In our minds the key is in Ankara. It is impossible for the Turkish Cypriots to agree to a solution if they don't have the consent from Turkey. Given the fact that Turkey is not sitting at the table, it's important for friends with influence like the U.S. to encourage Turkey to be as constructive and positive as possible. ... So any influence and encouragement the U.S. can put on Turkey, that would be very helpful. But that's not something for the U.S. to decide, it is something for them to mediate and to try and obtain the consent of Turkey to these requests.

JR: What topics did you raise in your meetings with U.S. lawmakers you met with?

MK: One issue I raised with the secretary of state but also in my meetings on the Hill was the issue of Famagusta, in particular, the fenced part of the city, which has become a ghost town with snakes and everything else. The Famagusta issue should and could be resolved without waiting for the solution to the actual Cyprus problem ... Again, given that Turkey is in charge of this area, we ask friend to intervene and encourage Turkey to help with this.

JR: In Washington, the conventional wisdom is that the April elections on the Turkish Cypriot side could result in leadership that is less likely to come to an agreement with your government. Do you believe that this time before the April elections is the last hope?

MK: Well first of all I don't believe in "last hopes." Second, nothing will move either way without Ankara's involvement. So it doesn't really matter who wins the elections. Even if we have the most positive interlocutor, if Turkey is not positive and constructive then the attempts will fail. Of course having a negative interlocutor complicates matters and undermines the effort. Such an election of a negative leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community will of course complicate things for the negotiations and it will not be a good development for us -- but I believe neither for Turkey ... So it could be a negative development but it won't be the end of the world. The negotiations will continue and then, the biggest burden will be on Turkey.

JR: There is also a sense in Washington that the U.N., the EU, and even the United States to some degree has been apathetic in being involved in this issue. Do you lament a lack of real action coming from the international community?

MK: No, I think it would be unfair to say that. Because, as I explained earlier, the procedure chosen is such that doesn't allow direct involvement in the negotiations by anyone. So other nations have the role of being just the facilitators, not the more than that. So what is important is to keep them interested and occupied with the problem, but not directly involved. So yes, some may say what you just said, comparing to previous attempts in the past, but given the fate of those attempts maybe it is better to keep the process as it is today.

JR: When Cyprus voted for the Annan Plan [link to something explaining this], it was voted down, so I'm wondering how people in Washington should interpret that and what does that say about it?

MK: Well I think what we've explained from the beginning was that that negative vote on the Greek Cypriot side was not against a solution but against that specific plan, which was perceived to be not balanced and unfair to the Greek Cypriots. The whole belief at the time was that the Turkish side was considered to be more difficult so that tipped the balance [of the plan] to the Turkish side to get their vote -- which they did.

JR: Does Cyprus have a desire to join NATO?

MK: No. Cyprus has been non-aligned from its establishment and neutral in that sense. So even though we don't object to cooperation with EU and NATO, we are not interested in joining any military alliance. I should add that the aim of the solution is to have a demilitarized Cyprus altogether.

JR: Would an agreement with the Turkish Cypriot leadership enable Cyprus to remove its objections to Turkey joining the EU?

MK: Well we don't object to Turkey's joining of the EU as such. We just say that Turkey has to meet the same conditions and requirements as any other member country. Actually we support Turkey's accession but without special treatment. The fact is that Turkey, given its position towards Cyprus, refuses, as the EU has stated, to comply with its obligations. Of course that means they cannot proceed with the EU process. A solution to the Cyprus problem will make it easy and possible for Turkey, without any political considerations, to comply with all requirements.

JR: What impact does the Greek economic crisis have on you and what specific actions is your country pursuing?

MK: First of all we believe in solidarity. We believe that the EU should deal with this issue. The Greek government has taken some very courageous measures and great sacrifices that have to be acknowledged -- they have done their part, we should do ours. I believe that the steps taken by Greece will produce results and the EU should stand by Greece.