Cyprus explained

On a recent trip to Brussels Cypriot opposition leader and President of the ‘Democratic Rally’ party Nicos Anastasiades took some time out to talk to New Europe about the division of the island in the south eastern corner of the Mediterranean, the issues surrounding its occupation, parameters, potential solutions to a problem which has been discussed, analyzed and whose military repercussions have been felt on the island for the past 35 years.

President Anastasiades how do you see the progress of the Cyprus issue?
Unfortunately, an impasse still continues. We want and hope that this will be overcome, through the negotiating process which has been going on for the last 15 months. But for the time being this is more of a hope than a potential.
Let me explain that despite being now a the second phase of negotiation, there are significant problems arising due to the unhelpful Turkish and Turkish Cypriot positions, which are going way beyond the bounds of the agreed framework. For example, instead of leading to a Federal State, with two constituent states but definitely with a single international identity, single sovereignty and single citizenship, nearly all of the Turkish Cypriot proposals would lead to a Confederation. And this is exactly why it is necessary for the Cypriot government to draft a new strategy that will involve our European partners in a common effort that would aim towards the positive change of the Turkish policy.
Pressure and influence upon Ankara is necessary so it accepts those functional improvements and implementation guarantees in relation to the 2004 UN Plan. This would lead to a new plan that would satisfy some of the valid concerns which led to the rejection of that plan by the Greek Cypriots without of course removing any of the rights and safeguards of Turkish Cypriots.

How similar to the Anan plan is today’s plan?
Both of the leaders are trying to move away from that specific plan and towards a new plan through a process which, as they say, will be “Cypriot owned” and will lead to a “Cypriot solution”. This so called “Cypriot solution” is exactly a manifestation of the very clear political position that a proposed solution cannot be delivered or handed down from any third party but has to be reached by the two leaderships. 

Could things not continue the way they are today in Cyprus?
The present situation is not sustainable.  With the passing of time the Greek Cypriots will be faced with new challenges and threats to their security arising from the continuing presence of the Turkish occupying army, the settlement of the north of the island by mainland Turks and the rising illegal migration through the dividing line. The Turkish Cypriots will also bear the consequences of continuing to live in a situation of political and economic dependency on Turkey and will miss out on the prospect of being part of the European Union. Turkey will continue to be burdened with a major political problem and Greek-Turkish relations but also NATO-EU relations will continue to be hampered. Also let us bear in mind that the passage of time makes the possibility of a resolution at a future stage quite unlikely.

It seems as though Turkey is the one that needs to give a solution now, what is your view on this?
Turkey surely needs a solution. Even though resolving the Cyprus problem will not be enough on its own to allow its accession into the European Union, such a development will surely provide a boost to its European aspirations. However, let me say that a solution is desperately needed by everyone. The present situation is a loose-loose situation, while a solution is a win-win situation. This should be the clear message to all.

How is it possible to have a country in Europe where you have two types of citizens?
You would not really have two types of citizens. All Cypriots would be citizens of the Federal Republic of Cyprus and all would be EU citizens.  This Federation would consist of two constituent states; one would be Greek Cypriot and the other Turkish Cypriot. What has been agreed, even in the 2006 agreement between late Cypriot President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, is that these two constituent states would be politically equal. This of course does not and should not imply numerical equality at all levels between the Greek Cypriot community which makes approximately 80% of the population and the Turkish Cypriot community which makes approximately 20% of the population.

You are on the record saying that almost 100,000 Turkish Cypriots have received a Cypriot nationality, so in other words have become European citizens, how many of those in your opinion are Turkish residents?
I have the impression that their number would be minimal. The Turkish Cypriots applied for the citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus in large numbers following the partial lifting of restrictions in movement across the dividing line in 2003. However, for the citizenship to be granted it was necessary for them to provide documentation including birth records and birth certificates establishing their Cypriot origin.

In December we have the evaluation of Turkey as a potential candidate for European accession what do you think will be the results?
December is an opportunity and we need to make good use of it. Cyprus should not go-it alone, nor should it be left alone. I believe it is a responsibility of the EU-27 to send a loud and clear message that there are specific obligations bearing on Turkey and that these obligations need to be fulfilled if we are to keep the accession negotiations on track. And of course, one such obligation is the one relating to the specific and tangible acts on the part of Turkey that will facilitate a resolution of the Cyprus problem.

Do you see the eventuality of Turkey becoming a member of the European Union as a reality?
I think that this is a very distant prospect. Obviously Turkey would need to undergo a fundamental transformation that will render it into a functioning liberal-democracy, with no military intervention in the political process, with full respect of human rights and with harmonization and normalization of relations with its neighbors.

Do you think that the ‘deep-state’ of Turkey wants the EU accession?
Possibly there are elements in the country that do not favor EU accession as this would render their role completely out of place. The existence of a “deep-state” in an EU member is unthinkable.

So if Turkey becomes democratic do you think that the country would handle it or would it disperse?
I don’t think that democracy has ever hurt any nation so I don’t see why it would hurt Turkey. The main point is what type of Turkish democracy are we talking about? A so-called democracy or a true and substantial liberal-democracy?

When this time comes and Turkey is facing accession what will Cyprus’ position be?
Our position and also the position of Greece, is quite clear. We favor a stable, democratic and prosperous Turkey and we aspire to good neighborly relations with such a country. If this day comes and if in the meantime the Cyprus problem has been resolved and the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus has ended, we shall view accession as a positive development. But time is of the essence.  Every minute and every day that goes by is at the expense of a viable a just solution to all these problems that would be to the benefit of everyone.