Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will on Monday discuss the setback in the Cyprus peace talks arising from statements made by Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
Greek Government Spokesman Sofia Voultepsi said “the setback in the talks on Cyprus seems to arise from the recent statements by Gul (concerning the form that a possible solution will take) and Turkey’s general stance and not because this is ascertained by the Greek government”.
During his visit to the occupied areas over the weekend Gul said he sees “positive signs” that the ongoing talks on Cyprus will lead to the formation “of a new, partnership country in Cyprus very soon”.
He spoke of a solution “which will guarantee the status quo of the Turkish Cypriots”, and assured that Turkey “always as a guarantor power and a motherland to the Turkish Cypriots, will never allow them to become a minority within a Greek state”.
Speaking on Monday night, chief negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis said things are difficult in the negotiating process but the Greek Cypriot side cannot afford to give up.
Speaking on Monday evening at an event organised by the Green Party to mark the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island, Mavroyiannis said that although situation is tough, there was no other choice but to continue efforts to reach a solution and reunite our country.
He noted that it is absolutely normal and rightful for all political parties to express different views and opinions and that he is certain that each one of the political leaders has the vision of reunification in mind.
Mavroyiannis said that what the Turkish Cypriot side really sought was to legitimise the invasion and occupation of the island’s northern third, adding that the Greek Cypriot side was making continuous efforts to prevent this from happening.
The Greek Cypriot negotiator, who holds regular meetings with the negotiator of the Turkish Cypriot side Kudret Ozersay, spoke of the international interest for the Cyprus problem, saying that this interest is helpful, however, it has not been turned into something concrete so far in the negotiations.
Mavroyiannis noted that he very much wanted to reach a result concerning Varosha, but Turkey was negative on this matter.
In his speech, Mavroyiannis also noted that the fact that Cyprus was a full member of the EU since 2004 has contributed to the Republic being stronger and more determined.
He also said that the various UN SC resolutions are a shield for the Republic and have included various aspects that were agreed upon in the many rounds of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Vice President of the Greek Parliament Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha has reaffirmed her country’s support.
Speaking after a meeting on Tuesday with the President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou, she said “we will be by your side” with an eye towards a free and independent Cyprus.
Omirou made it clear that “we will not accept a solution that will not end the occupation, will not reunite the people, the place, the institutions, the economy, and will not restore the human rights and fundamental freedoms on the basis of the principles of the international and European law”.
Comment: Küfi Seydali
The Greek Cypriots will have to get down from their big horse (EU), and stop looking for military alliances. Resorting to arms has only brought Cyprus disaster in the past, and is not likely to bring anything else in the future. The Greek side deliberately delayed the beginning of the current peace talks and is now doing its best to sabotage the negotiations.
Omirou is dreaming of the past, but there will absolutely be no going back to the pre 1974 state of affairs. A change of paradigm is necessary if a new and mutually acceptable solution to the 50 years old problem is to be found.
KS
President Gül said nothing which is not in line with the peace process, which is aiming at a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, i.e. the creation of a new Cyprus Republic!