Cyprus-Forum.com

[joe]

Finns continue drive to
avoid EU-Turkey crisis
BY ANDREAS HADJIPAPAS
EUROPEAN Union president Finland is pressing on with its diplomatic drive aimed at warding off a crisis between Ankara and the EU over Cyprus, but no definite result has been achieved so far.
The Finnish formula is a compromise model that involves Turkey opening a number of designated ports to Cypriot traffic, in exchange for moves to ease the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.
No official proposal has been presented by the Finns, but sources said Helsinki was working on a number of ideas that were being discussed with the countries involved.
President Tassos Papadopoulos will brief the National Council on Tuesday about the EU package, which is based on the formula presented originally by the Luxembourg presidency, with certain variations.
It would call on Turkey to open a limited number of ports to Cypriot vessels, while suggesting Turkish Cypriots in the north be permitted to trade directly with the outside world through the port of Famagusta, which would be run jointly by Greek and Turkish Cypriots under EU supervision.

Twinned

The EU proposal is twinned with a call that neighbouring Varosha come under international supervision so its Greek Cypriot owners can oversee repairs to their properties.
The Cyprus government (and the EU) stress there is no linkage between the so-called economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey’s obligations to open its ports and airspace to EU members, including Cyprus. The EU has warned Turkey that failure to fulfil its obligations could cause a setback in its EU accession negotiations.
If accepted, the deal could lift an immediate threat to Turkey’s EU entry talks from Cyprus, which says no more negotiating chapters can be opened, unless Ankara meets its commitments.
Turkey does not recognise the Cyprus Republic and it has refused to meet an EU obligation to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic unless the EU makes good on an earlier pledge to end the economic isolation of northern Cyprus, under Turkish military occupation since 1974.
Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja told Reuters earlier that he was holding intensive talks on the matter with Turkey, Cyprus, Greece and other interested parties.

Weeks

“We have just a few weeks to see if we can get it done or not. My sense is that none of the parties is saying ‘No’ but no one is saying ‘yes’ yet either,” he remarked.
While all sides saw an interest in achieving a result, “the chances are probably more against it than in favour, but we are making a real effort,” he added during an interview in New York.
Finland was seeking to enlist United States help to find a short-term deal, he said.
The government in Nicosia says certain ideas have been floated, but it is waiting for the EU Commission report on Turkey on November 8 to see if there can be some way out.
President Papadopoulos said Finland adopted fully “our position and that of Europe” on this, that there is no linkage between Turkey’s obligations under the protocol, and developments in the Cyprus problem.
“This is a matter of principle for us and the view is fully adopted, accepted and supported by the European Union.”

Integration

He said he had discussed the Finnish proposal with the Prime Minister of Finland.
He also noted that an EU decision in April 2004 spoke of lifting the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots in a way that would lead to “integration of the economy.”
He explained that the Finnish formula followed the consensus reached during the Luxembourg presidency and later taken up by the Austrian presidency.
All the ideas and thoughts and proposals aim at finding a way of returning the town of Varosha together with the opening of Famagusta port under EU supervision.
Finland was proposing a number of related moves in an effort to find compromise solutions.
“Until now, there does not seem to be ground for a successful outcome of the Finnish efforts,” he added.
Papadopoulos said he had raised the Famagusta issue in August 2005 and “it has been on the negotiating table for the past year.”
He said the issue would test Turkey’s desire to work for Cyprus’s and reunification, cushioning the effects of the invasion and occupation.
There was” no logical, practical, political or military reason” to justify the continuing abandonment of the fenced off city of Famagusta which belonged totally to Greek Cypriots before the 1974 invasion, he declared.
He also stressed that it was wrong to link the proposed return of Famagusta to Turkey’s EU obligations.
Meanwhile, efforts to set up the proposed technical committees and working groups, under the July 8 agreement, are still bogged down, despite efforts by UN representative Michael Moller, to get the process going.

Insults

Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis said Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat had “stepped up his attacks and insulting language” against President Papadopoulos, after the July 8 pact. “Our side wants the agreement to be fully implemented,” he added.

[reportfromcyprus]

Well, good luck to them, but doesn't this contradict everyone's positions?

Turkey: won't recognise Cyprus without TC ports open to trade.
Cyprus govt: won't accept any conditions on Turkey fulfilling its EU obligations.
EU: won't accept Turkey in the EU if it doesn't recognise all members.

It's going to take a real miracle to pull this one off.

What are the odds on RoC refusing any deal? Check out today's reportfromcyprus.com - the spokesman is completely adamant; the TC aren't even isolated is what he maintains.

[elko]

Famagusta port is important for Turkish Cypriots but not of utmost importance. The crunch is on Ercan. Turkish side will not agree to anything that does not include Ercan because that would open up tourism for North Cyprus. Exactly for this reason the Greek side will not agree to anything that includes Ercan. Hence a stalemate.
As usual, I expect the EU to sidestep the issue by postponing the deadlock for a couple of years. They will have to face it one day and when the crunch comes, I have no doubt as to which side will complain most
Yes you guessed it, it will be the Greek side. They will of course blame the devilish Brits, the arrogant Americans and so on.
ismet

[reportfromcyprus]

Famagusta port is important for Turkish Cypriots but not of utmost importance. The crunch is on Ercan. Turkish side will not agree to anything that does not include Ercan because that would open up tourism for North Cyprus. Exactly for this reason the Greek side will not agree to anything that includes Ercan. Hence a stalemate.
ismet

I think that's an interesting point that you make, elko.

We keep going around in circles, don't we.

[EUropean666]

What is the % of land returned to cyprus?

also do we talk abou the whole city of famagusta or only varosha

[reportfromcyprus]

Nothing has been confirmed yet.

[EUropean666]

not even a proposal?

[Issy1956]

What I dont understand is this. If the isolation is so called I take it that GC's dont believe it exists or is of any consequence. If thats the case what the objection to lifting it?
Am I the only one to see this contradiction?

[Kifeas]

As usual, I expect the EU to sidestep the issue by postponing the deadlock for a couple of years. They will have to face it one day and when the crunch comes, I have no doubt as to which side will complain most
Yes you guessed it, it will be the Greek side. They will of course blame the devilish Brits, the arrogant Americans and so on.
ismet

And how do you think the EU will postpone the deadlock for a couple of years, if the RoC made it clear it will not concede to the opening and closing of any new chapters, if Turkey doesn't implement the Ankara protocol for Cyprus and open its ports and airports?

[Issy1956]

Kifeas,
Nice to have you back. If the RoC will not agree to the opening and closing of any new chapters, and if Turkey doesn't implement the Ankara protocol for Cyprus and open its ports and airports where do you see this leading to?
Dead lock and end of Turkey's EU ambitions and cementing of the division of Cyprus.