British ambassador to Cyprus urges for solution with Turks

Emry Diner, Daily Sabah

10 February 2015

On Cyprus, negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus issue were suspended three months ago due to tensions that grew out of hydrocarbon drilling exploration. It was revealed that the foreign diplomats on the island are not pleased with the current situation and are imposing pressure on Greek Cyprus. Reportedly, foreign diplomats warned the Greek Cypriots with some remarks including, “The determination of the solution of the Cyprus issue will soon be out of time, and the international public will have to resort to other solutions including the abolition of the isolation of Turkish Cyprus,” and, “By the end of the year, [the Greek Cypriot President Nicos] Anastasiades must determine whether he will act as the driver or a passenger of the geopolitical developments.”

British Ambassador to Nicosia, Ric Todd, addressed Anastasiadis via the press. Todd announced that the U.K. and the EU are willing to advance the Direct Trade Regulation one step further with Turkish Cyprus. He also said that it is realistic to start the Cyprus negotiations before April, indicating that the hydrocarbon issue would also be added to the main topics of negotiation.

“Currently, the projects of the U.S., England, U.N., EU and Russia, and the postponement of the drilling works in Cyprus exclusive economic zone by ENI-KoGas, mean Turkey is not renewing its Navtex and the restart of the negotiations in late May or early June rather than just after the elections in Turkish Cyprus. Because the Greek side demands a short span of time to make sure that Ankara would not renew its Navtex, and the Turkish side would not try to demean the Greek Cypriots. They want to see the withdrawal of Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa vessel from Cyprus area before getting back to the negotiations,” Todd added.

After restarting negotiations, focus will be on coming to an agreement by the end of the year and a new solution plan will be offered for public approval of both communities via individual referendums in early 2016. Foreign diplomats point out that the determination with regard to the solution of the Cyprus issue is running out of time, and that the international public will resort to other solutions including the abolition of the isolation of Turkish Cypriots. It is highlighted that the U.N. special adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, will present some bridging ideas in the third phase of the negotiations in September.

Pointing out that Greek Cyprus and Russia are discussing the possibility of signing an agreement that would enable some Russian military facilities on Greek Cyprus, Todd asked: “Does such an agreement accord with the duties of a country which is a member of organizations such as the EU, Partnership for Peace, and even NATO?”

“Just as England, Cyprus is a member of the EU. England is a member of NATO, while Cyprus is not. I can say that Cyprus should determine its relations with Russia on its own. However, the Cyprus Republic knows very well that there is a common attitude towards Russia in the EU, which was unanimously accepted and comprises the answer of the EU to the incidents that took place in Ukraine upon Russia’s intervention. Consequently, the decision is up to Cyprus,” Todd added.

Featured Image: Greek-Cypriot administration leader Nicos Anastasiades said a solution to the Cyprus dispute was possible by bringing the island under a single sovereignty. Copyright: DHA Photo.

by

by