Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday made fresh statements in support of the north’s potential accession to the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), going further than he had previously to support the north becoming a full member.He said his country is making “diplomatic efforts” for the north to become an observer member of the OTS, … Read more
President Nikos Christodoulides has been briefed about the meeting of the UN secretary general with his personal envoy. The Turkish Minister of Defence, Yasar Guler, made a provocative statement regarding the Turkish troops’ “peace operation” in Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot side is steadfast in requesting the resumption of talks, despite indications that negotiations may not be positive. The UNSG will also meet with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis to convey specific messages on behalf of the Republic. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar claimed that peace prevailed on the island in 1974 and that the Turkish Cypriots made significant gains. Turkish Cypriot MPs participated in discussions at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the issue of Varosha, claiming that the 1984 UN Security Council resolution is outdated.
Former UN envoy to Cyprus Alexander Downer met with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to discuss the need for new and creative ideas around the Cyprus problem. Discussions on a federation have not yielded a solution, and negotiations on this basis have been exhausted. Tatar emphasized the importance of confirming sovereign equality and equal international status before official negotiations can begin.
Turkish Cypriot journalist Ali Kismir’s trial has been postponed until September 27. He is facing up to 10 years in jail for “insulting” the Turkish Cypriot armed forces by likening their headquarters to a brothel in his writings in 2020.
Ersin Tatar, the representative of occupying Turkey, is seeking “equal international status” with a European stamp for the breakaway regime in Cyprus. He wants meetings and visits abroad to be at the same level as those of President Christodoulides, aiming for full equality with the Republic of Cyprus. Despite efforts mainly in Brussels, Tatar has not been successful in getting the desired level of recognition. However, the Turkish side is finding more support in Turkish-speaking countries like Azerbaijan. The policy of recognizing two states in Cyprus is causing tension, with Ankara potentially resorting to blackmail if faced with an impasse. Turkey is not expected to make any moves before July and will likely wait until after the completion of the UN Special envoy’s mission.
Occupying Turkey is preparing moves following the end of the mission of the UN Secretary General’s envoy on the Cyprus problem. Ankara and its representative in the occupied territories are planning action if a deadlock is established. They aim to change the basis of the Cyprus problem, impose their agenda, and reach a “cooperation agreement” between the two entities. Turkey is pressuring the United Nations to negotiate a separate agreement, but the UN has deemed this illegal. The occupation forces are causing minor crises within the buffer zone to assert control over the area.
Ankara is key to the efforts aimed at solving the Cyprus problem, according to government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis. EU-Turkey relations can play a significant role in this effort. Through dialogue, answers can be given to the concerns and worries of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Initiatives and measures are being taken to create positive conditions for the resumption of peace talks. Diplomatic efforts will continue to play a role in resolving the issue.
UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, left Cyprus after meeting with the leaders, including Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, with no progress made. Tatar rejected Holguin’s proposal for a meeting with her and President Nikos Christodoulides, citing the Turkish Cypriot side’s position on sovereign equality and equal international status. Holguin will report to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will decide the next steps in the peace talks. Christodoulides’ failure to persuade Tatar to agree to a meeting raises questions about the purpose of the failed initiative and the blame game surrounding the deadlock.
– Piero Fassino visited Varosha on Wednesday
– Fassino hopes Varosha will become a “living town” again with the agreement of the two parties concerned
– Fassino’s findings from the visit will be compiled into a report for the PACE’s next assembly in June
– All Council of Europe member states are expected to take the vote on the report into consideration
– Turkish Cypriot observers thanked Fassino for listening to both sides before preparing his report
President Nikos Christodoulides stated that the government’s main goal is to restart negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem, but there has been no response from the Turkish Cypriot side so far.