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The Letter of the G.S. of the C.C. of AKEL to the leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament and other European officials
Title: The package of proposals of President Christofias on the direct trade draft regulation
As you may already be aware of, the process of negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem is since, May last, conducted between President Christofias and the new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mr. Dervis Eroglou under the aegis of the United Nations. As the negotiations are ongoing, it is imperative that the general climate is such, as to enforce confidence and promote a spirit of compromise and good will between the parties and the two communities (that is, at the level of the society).
I hereby enclose the package of proposals submitted by President Christofias with the aim of giving a new impetus to the negotiations process. The package includes the following:
A) The linkage of the discussion of the property issue, which is now under discussion at the negotiations, with the chapter of territorial adjustments and the chapter of immigration, nationality, aliens and asylum. The simultaneous discussion of these chapters will facilitate the solution of a complex and thorny issue, the property issue, and at the same time will speed up the dialogue.
The Turkish Cypriot side has not accepted this proposal so far, even though it proclaims that it wants a solution by the end of 2010.
B) The implementation, on the part of Turkey, of resolution UN Security Council 550 of 1984 for the return of the fenced city of Famagusta to the United Nations, with the aim to restore it and return it to its legal inhabitants. At the same time, the proposal provides for the restoration of the old city of Famagusta, which constitutes a common cultural heritage, as well as the opening of the port of Famagusta, under the aegis of the European Union.
From this proposal, if, of course, the Turkish side accepts it and it gets implemented, the Turkish Cypriot community will benefit in developing relations with the EU in a way that promotes a solution and reunification, as foreseen by the Conclusions of the European Council of April 2006.
This will benefit Turkey who wishes to promote its accession course by unfreezing chapters, and the EU who wishes the continuation of Turkey’s accession course. What is more, surely a UN Resolution will be implemented which for so many years, for 26 years, has remained unimplemented by Turkey.
C) Thirdly, when we reach a range of agreement on the internal aspects we recommend the arranging of an international summit, which will be summoned by the United Nations with the participation of the five Permanent Members of the Security Council, the EU, the Guarantor Powers, the Republic of Cyprus and the two communities.
The subject matter of the international summit is the international aspect of the Cyprus problem and the resolution of this aspect, which comprises of security, guarantees, the presence of foreign troops in Cyprus and settlers.
The proposals submitted by the President of the Republic are realistic and balanced and they can be easily implemented. What is also significant is that all the parties involved in the Cyprus problem will benefit from their implementation and this will, of course, assist the prospect of finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.
Regrettably the attitude exhibited by the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community during the recent sad “anniversary” of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus was in full contrast with the aforementioned need. More specifically and on top of the already bitter nature of the anniversary, Mr. Eroglou choose to irritate the climate even further through the revival of the separatist rhetoric of “two separate states, two separate peoples, two separate republics and two separate sides”.
More specifically in his address delivered on the above mentioned occasion Mr Dervis Eroglu said:
“(…) After the 20th of July 1974, there has been a new geography and two separate states, two separate peoples, two separate republics and two separate sides within this geography. An agreement reached in Cyprus should be based on these realities and should include our sovereign equality and full and effective guarantees of motherland Turkey. Since I became the President, I have been stressing that if there is a will, we shall reach a permanent agreement by the end of 2010. All contacts and proposals I have made are directed towards this aim (…)”.
It is indeed a source of great concern that the Turkish Cypriot leader felt the need to once again underline a divisive vision for Cyprus.
The basis of the solution as provided by the UN SC resolutions and confirmed by president Christofias and the former leader of the Turkish- Cypriot community Mr. Talat prior to the commencement of the negotiations in 2008, which is the bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution, is evidently not endorsed by Mr. Eroglu.
Instead of endorsing an attitude of reconciliation and speaking the language of peace, Mr. Eroglu has on the contrary chosen to, use the “anniversary” to publicly denounce the agreed basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution, with a single international personality and single sovereignty and citizenship and to revive bitterness and enmity.
Mr. Eroglu’s recent statement is yet another proof that if the draft regulation “on special conditions for trade with those areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control” also known as “direct trade” regulation, is approved, it will serve in the hands of Mr Eroglu, as a tool leading to the finalization of the partition of Cyprus.
We therefore urge you not to allow this to happen. A possible adoption of the “direct trade regulation” not only contravenes Article 1(1) of Protocol 10 to the Accession Treaty of the Republic of Cyprus but will also offer Mr Eroglu the opportunity to realize his aforementioned divisive vision. Moreover it will lead the current peace process to a deadlock removing an important incentive for a solution.
There is no alternative path than a bizonal bicommunal federal Cyprus, member of the European Union.
With sincere respect
Andros Kyprianou
General Secretary of the Central Committee
AKEL, Cyprus
