The UN-sponsored Cyprus reunification talks have entered a decisive phase in Geneva on 9 January 2017. Following three days of meetings, today the two sides are set to meet with the three guarantor powers at a five-party conference which will be chaired by the incoming UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The EU is expected to participate in the conference as a ‘special observer’. Prior to the five-party conference, IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu made the following statements:

“Cyprus talks are entering a critical juncture. The five-party conference, which will commence with the added participation of the three guarantor powers namely; Turkey, Greece and the UK, will in a way determine the fate of the island as was the case in Zurich in 1959. If the outstanding issues are resolved and a breakthrough could be reached on the most complicated and emotionally-charged chapters concerning territorial adjustments and security and guarantees, we can expect the main framework of the settlement deal to emerge. This could pave the way for a comprehensive settlement deal being drafted in the coming months to be presented to the two communities in simultaneous referenda on both sides of the island in mid-2017.”

Indicating that it was the first time since the Annan Plan, which is regarded as the most comprehensive plan for a settlement, that so much progress has been achieved in the talks, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated:

“During the last 19 months, the two sides have managed to reach major convergences on governance and power sharing, EU matters, economy and the property issue which is regarded as the most complex aspect of the Cyprus question. However, a number of unresolved issues remain. Despite the presence of outstanding issues, the convergences achieved make us cautiously hopeful. We consider the rotating presidency which is deemed as indispensable for ensuring the Turkish Cypriot community’s political equality, the continuation of Turkey’s active and effective guarantee, strengthening of bizonality and adoption of the prospective settlement deal as primary EU law to be of critical importance. We support a fair, lasting and comprehensive settlement which protects the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot community and sufficiently fulfils their rightful demands for political equality, freedom and security.”

“A Cyprus Settlement will open up the floodgates in Turkey-EU Relations; however the EU should not create new ‘Cyprus’es for Turkey”

IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu indicated that a prospective settlement will bring a lot of benefits:
“A fair and lasting solution in Cyprus will contribute to the relations and open up new avenues of cooperation between Turkey and the EU, Turkey and Greece as well as Turkey and the new bizonal and bicomunnal ‘united federal Cyprus’ composed of two politically equal constituent states to be established following a settlement.”

Stressing that a prospective settlement will pave the way for the unfreezing of the currently blocked chapters in Turkey’s accession negotiations, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu added:
“As known, the opening of a total of 14 out of 35 chapters and the provisional closing of all chapters in Turkey’s EU accession talks has been suspended by the European Council and the unilateral veto of the Greek Cypriot Administration. This largely reduces the effectiveness of the accession negotiations which should in effect constitute the main framework; the backbone of Turkey-EU relations. With the resolution of the Cyprus issue, the blocked chapters will automatically unfreeze. This will open a new page in Turkey’s accession talks. Furthermore, the dialogue processes currently carried out independently in areas of mutual interest such as foreign policy and energy will be incorporated in the framework of the accession negotiations.”

“Moreover, a settlement would provide for the opening of chapters 23 and 24 on the rule of law and fundamental rights concerning two key areas in which Turkey faces criticism from the EU. Their opening could assist Turkey in addressing its shortcomings in these areas and create fresh momentum for political reforms. Additionally, with the Turkish Cypriots taking their long-overdue place within the EU, Turkish will become an official EU language. A fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue would deprive the Turkey-sceptic circles within the EU of a pretext being used against Turkey’s EU bid”.

Warning against the possibility that following a settlement in Cyprus, some other member states could resort to vetoes to derail Turkey’s EU bid, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated: “Such a possibility could cause irreparable damage to the relations between Turkey and the EU. Following the settlement of the Cyprus issue, we expect the EU to develop a long-term and sustainable strategy regarding Turkey’s EU membership process.”

“Following a Solution, Cyprus Will Become a Magnet for Investors”

Referring to the potential economic benefits a settlement could bring, IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu made the following remarks:

“A settlement is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to both communities on the island. As the unlawful and long-overdue isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community will come to an end following a settlement, the Turkish Cypriots will trade freely and develop healthy trade and investment relations with the EU and the rest of the world. With stability and confidence, Cyprus will become a magnet attracting major international investments. Moreover, the hydrocarbon resources, which have so far been a cause of friction, will transform to a cause of cooperation between the two communities as well as regional states.”

“The Success Story the EU Needs Could Be Written in the Eastern Mediterranean”

IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu indicated that the settlement of the Cyprus issue would create major benefits for the EU:

“At a time when the EU is struggling to deal with multiple existential crises such as the financial crisis, the refugee crisis and Brexit and the main achievements of the European project have become questionable, the resolution of the Cyprus issue will undoubtedly create a success story for the EU. Moreover, a lasting solution to the Cyprus issue will remove the obstacles to NATO-EU institutional cooperation at a time when mounting security threats deem cooperation between the two organizations crucial. Last but not least, the prospect of exporting East Med hydrocarbons by a pipeline following a settlement via Turkey would not only serve Turkey’s objective of becoming an energy hub, but also contribute to the EU’s energy security.”

Ayhan Zeytinoğlu
IKV Chairman