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Discussion of the British framework
In view of a lack of other proposals, London has taken initiative presenting its own packet of ideas. Security and guarantees appear to be being left off the agenda.
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Main News
Cyprob focus shifts onto British ideas to break impasse
Alithia, Haravgi, Kathimerini, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports that in view of a lack of other ideas, the only ones currently being presented on the table are those prepared by the British. The paper writes that the possibility is now visible that these ideas will be made into a packet focusing on issues of sovereignty and political equality, while excluding important matters such as security, guarantees and territory.
Phileleftheros reports that according to a document presented by the Deputy Political Director of the UK Foreign Office Ajay Sharma during his visit to Cyprus last July, with the document serving the purpose of constituting the basis for a resumption of talks, the British believe that the bridging of the two sides’ ideas could be achieved through specific ideas such as those of equal inherent rights, recognising the two sides as co-founders and co-owners, the setting up of self-administrative entities, the assurance that neither entity will exercise sovereignty over the other, and that there will be two states internally, one state externally.
The paper writes that UN Special Envoy Jane Holl Lute has backed these ideas, which deviate from the framework drawn up by UN Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres in Crans-Montana in 2017.
Phileleftheros reports that in two weeks the two leaders will be heading to New York where they will have the chance to discuss Cyprob with the Guterres. Given the fact that Lute will likely not visit Cyprus for contacts that could prepare the ground for a trilateral meeting involving the two leaders and the UNSG, such a meeting is unlikely.
Kathimerini reports that President Nicos Anastasiades sent a letter to the UNSG last week highlighting his readiness to work towards a solution in the framework of a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) with political equality and on the basis of the joint statement issued on February 11, 2014 along with the then-TC leader Dervis Eroglu. The paper reports that the letter was sent following Lute’s decision to not come to Cyprus for contacts ahead of the meetings in New York.
Kathimerini reports that what is currently being intensely discussed is the possibility of a new joint announcement by the two leaders similar to that of February 2014, though Lute is still uncertain about this, while the move is mainly being promoted by the British. According to the paper, during his briefing of the National Council, chief GC negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis referred to the document tabled by Sharma that was also reported on by Phileleftheros, which may provide a basis on which to resume negotiations through a new 5+1 meeting, but Sharma was adamant that for this to take place a common understanding must first be reached.
Kathimerini reports that the document presented by Sharma is being promoted for adoption by the UN Security Council (UNSC) in three ways: through a vote, through a presidential statement, or through its incorporation in the UNSG’s report. The paper reports that Mavroyiannis said that these ideas were being pushed for inclusion in Guterres’ most recent reports, but the GC side raised strong reactions, while Nicosia is also against any nod from the UNSC.
But, Kathimerini reports, some don’t completely disagree with Britain’s idea. In an interview with Kathimerini, former Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides states that the notions of co-founders, co-owners and equal inherent rights are already included in every document, such as that of the joint declaration of February 2014. He also said that there are some merits in Anastasiades’ proposal to reinstate the 1960 Constitution. He said the Constitution, which in his opinion must be implemented after a strategic agreement, covers the concerns of the TC side, since if the GC side for any reason backs out of the strategic agreement, the TC side will be left with both the occupation and the 1960 privileges.
In an interview with Alithia, Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos said Anastasiades’ proposal aimed to resume negotiations that could lead to a solution in line with UN resolutions, high-level agreements, and the EU acquis.
Politis reports that Anastasiades’ recent Cyprob moves are in step with those of Turkey and the north, with the GC side now moving towards being co-responsible for overturning the negotiations basis provided for by UN resolutions. The paper reports citing people close to Anastasiades is that his proposal to return to the single state provided for by the 1960 Constitution is both tactical and substantive. In terms of tactics, it responds to Tatar on the issue of passports, and its substance lies in the way it calls on TCs to return temporarily before transforming the Republic of Cyprus (RoC), through the guidance of the British formula, into a federal state in the model of Belgium or Great Britain.
But Politis argues that this proposal was obviously rejected, since it asks the TCs to go through a huge process just to do something that could be done through simpler means, and without changing the negotiations basis. The paper writes that given Anastasiades’ most recent move but also past moves, one could say he is unstable as regards Cyprob, adopting positions in favour of a solution as well as positions that are adopted by nationalist party ELAM. While this may be the case, the paper argues that it could also be that Anatasiades has already settled on a two-state solution, as is playing a dangerous game to confuse Tatar in order to deter any chances for actual serious negotiations until his presidency expires. In this way, the next President will inherit a Cyprob which will have no other path to follow but a two-state solution.
Politis reports that since the establishment of the RoC, the main issue at stake has been the status quo of the two communities as regards political equality and effective participation in government and decision-making. The paper writes that the 1960 Constitution was built on the basis of political equality between the two communities that co-founded the RoC, and argues that though there may be some merit in the opinion that abuses were made as regards the veto power held by the TC vice-president and the minimum number of positive votes from TC Ministers and MPs required to pass decisions and bills in the Cabinet and House, this is ultimately how federal structures operate across the globe. In such structures, no one uses the phrase ‘one person one vote’, the paper reports.
Politis reports that though the 1974 invasion resulted in the more pressing issue of territory due to the occupation of land, the discussion has absurdly remained focused on the issue of political equality. The current impasse, according to the paper, is due to the fact that the GC side want to have the final say on all matters, barring some issues that it says involves only TCs, though these issues have not been clarified. At the same time, TCs want to have the necessary amount of power that would stop GCs from taking any decision without their consent, meaning that TCs want to essentially control the entire island which would effectively translate into Turkey being in control as a guarantor power. Though the paper writes diplomats believe the two sides have taken extreme positions on the matter, finding common ground would require a clear head, which does not seem likely due to the levels of mistrust.
Haravgi reports that AKEL leader Stefanos Stefanou said that while Turkey’s provocations are unacceptable and condemnable, the GC side must focus on resuming negotiations from where they left off, and not just on protecting its sovereign rights. He said that as long as Cyprob is pending and as long as we are at an impasse, Turkey will continue to provoke through illegal actions and to promote permanent partition. Stefanou said the GC side must ensure that convergences reached so far are preserved and that negotiations are conducted on the basis of the Guterres framework.
KEY ACTORS
Kasoulides
>> Ideas included in British proposal, such as those of co-founders, co-owners and equal inherent rights are already included in every document, such as that of the joint declaration of February 2014
>> There are some merits in Anastasiades’ proposal to reinstate the 1960 Constitution, but this must be done after a strategic agreement is reached – this would also cover TC side’s concerns
Pelekanos
>> Anastasiades’ proposal aimed to resume negotiations that could lead to a solution in line with UN resolutions, high-level agreements, and the EU acquis
Stefanou (AKEL)
>> While Turkey’s provocations are unacceptable and condemnable, the GC side must focus on resuming negotiations from where they left off, and not just on protecting its sovereign rights
>> As long as Cyprob is pending and as long as we are at an impasse, Turkey will continue to provoke through illegal actions and to promote permanent partition
>> GC side must ensure that convergences reached so far are preserved and that negotiations are conducted on the basis of the Guterres framework