Parliamentary Assembly

Mr Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (interpretation)

I fully agree with you. As I mentioned, under the comprehensive proposal to deal with the various concerns of one community or the other, it is of course foreseen that the United Nations Security Council will have to adopt a very strong resolution indeed, under Article 7, so that all citizens feel that the international community is following and at the same time intervening, if necessary of course, to secure peace and adhere to the various principles adopted by both constituent parties for the respect of human rights.

Mr Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (interpretation)

First, I must condemn this coup d’état and of course send my condolences to those who lost their lives. On the other hand, if some sort of body has been put together to investigate the persecution of individuals, that is important. In answer to the question, no difference was noted in the Turkish Cypriot position. In other words, the situation did not deteriorate. Through dialogue, the position of the two sides will be made clear, in an attempt to resolve the issue overall.

Mr Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (interpretation)

I am unhappy about this, because there was great disappointment after that first meeting in Geneva, following certain hopes and ambitions that existed. There was no reason for that, because it was just a beginning for us to move forward on this particular front – in other words, to resolve the Cyprus issue – so I feel that this initial disappointment was not really necessary. The fact that we met was a success. It has not come to an end. We are continuing along this path of dialogue between the two sides and involving the guarantors of the Republic of Cyprus. Specifically, the two communities are very concerned about the guarantees. They want to see progress of such a nature that would allow us to arrive at a final resolution of the Cyprus issue.

Mr Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (interpretation)

There is no doubt whatever that this will be for the benefit of all on Cyprus. Of course, any sort of reserves would pertain to the State, and the State belongs to its people, who are made up of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. Thus, if a solution is to be found, the benefit will be for the entire island and all the people on it, and will play an important role in boosting the economy of the country in numerous different ways. Also, the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus and its use by neighbouring countries is something from which Cyprus will reap great benefits. We feel that Cyprus will become a major economic centre in the region and play an important role in European energy security. Taking into consideration Cyprus’s geopolitical position and, more specifically, its geographic position vis-à-vis the various reserves of natural gas and possibly other energy sources – oil, for example – the benefit will undoubtedly be important and, once again, for the benefit of all on the island.

Mr Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (interpretation)

That is our aim. Without of course ignoring the fact that there are properties which for the public good may not be returned, what is important and has been agreed upon is that we recognise the right of ownership. In order to deal with the rights of property owners, agreements have been forged with regard to five remedies: partial restitution; full restitution; alternative properties; exchange of properties; and other similar such mechanisms. In this fashion, we will find the best solution to these very complicated property issues, which are linked to the territorial adjustments in that particular chapter. I would like to hope that there will be an agreement on the property issue. In other words, I hope that we will have the return of the considerable properties under the Turkish Cypriot authority which, since 1974, have not been in the hands of their legal owners, so I hope for a certain amount of return.

Mr Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (interpretation)

As concerns the statement made by Mr Eide, it simply confirms what I said earlier. In other words, things do not end with Geneva; that was the beginning of a dialogue between the guarantors, the Republic of Cyprus and the two communities – not excluding the European Union, because the Republic of Cyprus is a full member of the European Union. Thus, there is nothing for me to comment beyond expressing my hope that, in the end, it will be possible within the next couple of weeks or months to achieve a certain amount of convergence and that an agreement will be forged as has been stated in the communiqué of the United Nations. In other words, it can happen only under the condition that the security of one community will not pose a threat to the security of the other community.

On the question posed by Mr Rouquet of France, on what lessons we learned from the first effort to resolve the Cyprus issue in 2004 – the Annan plan – there are numerous different things that we can draw from that. First, it is impossible for third parties to find a solution to problems that are better known by the parties on the ground, who are directly involved. That is one lesson that we can draw. That created a kind of negative atmosphere and it resulted in a plan that was imbalanced and that created among the people a sense of a lack of certainty. People felt that they had not been done justice. There were numerous different elements in that plan that created that atmosphere.

On the question asked by Sir Roger Gale, the dialogue that is taking place now is between Cypriots, without foreign intervention. For that reason, one side can better understand the concerns of the other side. We lived in peaceful co-existence for decades, let us not forget, and we have the same life experiences. It was the intervention of third parties that led to the situation that prevails today – a situation that is unacceptable for Turkish Cypriots, for Greek Cypriots, for all. This joint effort aims to find a common solution that would allow us finally to come up with something that would be 100% acceptable to both communities. Our decisiveness is there, and efforts are being made in order to avoid the impression of victors and vanquished. It is very important for us to adhere to this particular idea and to the principles of the European Union and of the Council of Europe. All of this will allow us to live peacefully together over time and create a State that will finally create an environment of stability, peace and hope for the long-term future.

On the third question, which was on the intervention of third parties, which Sir Roger Gale also mentioned, I think that I have responded to that. What must be respected in negotiations on the property issue is that there must be no foreign intervention. The only intervention that could take place would be on the part of the Security Council of the United Nations, and only where necessary to find some sort of solution or to implement whatever is necessary to ensure a smooth transition to a new status quo, based on that which had been agreed upon.

Mr Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (interpretation)

In response to the first question, on time and whether there is faith in a positive result from any referendum, any agreement will result in simultaneous referendums and I feel that we must achieve two positive results accepting the solution. It all depends on the content of the solution, and numerous different factors play a role; it depends to a certain extent on the level of respect for human rights and to what extent people feel that the Republic of Cyprus will be secure and safe. Progress has been considerable, but if we transcend our problems we will be much more successful in our negotiations. I thank the Swedish authorities for facilitating the dialogue process.

In Cyprus, religion has never – I repeat never – played a role, regardless of the fact that there is a religious difference. The Turkish Cypriots are Muslim, the Greek Cypriots are Christian, but there has never been a problem with that. There was always mutual respect and a broad acceptance on both sides of the confessional differences. As I mentioned, the major problems are with the need for a just resolution of the territorial adjustment and property issues, for the ridding of any foreign forces or occupying forces from the country, and for banning any third country from intervening militarily. We want an operational country with respect for human rights, because we do not want to create a dysfunctional State that will not be durable. One basic facet of an agreement is the guaranteed smooth operation and implementation of its different aspects. There is an implementation issue, too.

The third question was about the Geneva results, and we find ourselves at the beginning of the process with a long way before us. We still have not had a clear differentiation of the various positions, so it is difficult for me to express optimism or pessimism at this point. Turkey had until now never expressed any desire to discuss guarantees, and any adjustment that would create disturbance in the constitutional order of the country would have to take into account the reverberations for one community or the other – creating an atmosphere of security for one community while creating insecurity for the other would be unacceptable.

The question now is about Turkey’s decision on the guarantee system and whether it will remove its occupying forces on the island. A lot hangs on that. One must take into consideration the fact that there are only 40 nautical miles between Turkey and Cyprus. One argument about guarantees is that the presence of foreign troops on the island must be considered, as must terrorism. If we want territorial integrity and sovereignty for this new State, it must be quite clear through a guarantee that such a situation should not exist. Let us not forget the region we are talking about. Lebanon, Israel and Jordan are all our neighbours, and we have friendly ties with them so there is no reason to suppose that there might be some sort of military intervention or foreign military presence from anywhere else. The decisiveness we and, more importantly, the Turkish Government will display will play an important role in the evolution of events on the island.

Mr Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (interpretation)

On the question of getting rid of the sanctions, the first point is that we must respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of each country. I understand that right now we have the Normandy process. The Minsk process is also ongoing, which is extremely important. It is very important that there is respect for what has been decided upon up until now. Ongoing dialogue can bear much more fruit than anything else. That does not mean we are to ignore the resolutions or decisions that have already been made by the European Union.

Furthermore, I repeat that dialogue is absolutely imperative, because sanctions alone are not enough; they do not bear the result that one would like, and I do not know if they are completely effective. Look at what has happened in the meantime, irrespective of the sanctions – I am talking about Crimea. It is necessary for all to respect the sovereignty of the United Nations and the independence of nations, but dialogue is imperative. We should reassess efforts that have not resulted in anything and find new ways.

In the crisis that Europe is confronting, will resolution of the Cyprus issue constitute an example? I think it will, to a certain extent. It would be a success story for Europe because it is a European problem. At the same time, it would serve as a model for peaceful resolution of different types of problem, particularly those in the broader region, and for peaceful co-existence. If we look at what is going on in the region, and the conflicts between Christians and Muslims or confessions overall, Cyprus would serve as an example of stability. Furthermore, it would be a factor of stability. That is ever so important in the circumstances that prevail right now in Europe.

With regard to Gaza and the Palestinians, as I have said on other occasions, we have excellent relations with the Palestinian Authority, but that does not mean we do not have good relations with Israel; we have fine relations with Israel as well. We try in every way to serve as mediators, to the extent that we can, in order to resolve the Gaza issue. One of our principles is that a solution can be found only on the basis of recognition and implementation of United Nations resolutions and recognition of the Palestinian State and that of Israel. The efforts of numerous countries, including member States of the European Union, will bear fruit if there is mutual understanding and a more profound understanding of the problems and the causes of them.

Mr Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (interpretation)

I have to say that the situation concerning cultural heritage in the occupied part of the island is not that which we would all like. A number of steps in the right direction have been taken through the restoration and preservation of monuments. There is a technical committee, which has done considerable and important work. I would like to believe, on the basis of what we have agreed, that Christian places of worship will be returned, as a number have already, in the occupied area. Religious services now take place. Although a number of steps still have to be taken in order for us to speak about total restoration or respect of cultural heritage, I feel we are at least on the right path.

I have already responded with regard to the position of Cyprus on the sanctions against Russia. We must continue with the Normandy process, which has begun, and the Minsk dialogue, on the basis of what has already been agreed; we must continue along that path. Here, we speak about respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. It is absolutely necessary for that to be part of it. Upon that foundation, dialogue ought to continue.

To my Turkish Cypriot compatriot, after the election of Mr Akinci there is indeed better understanding of the problems that exist, but the most important thing is our decisiveness and will to achieve some sort of solution to the Cyprus issue. That will allow both communities to move forward and to benefit from the situation that we hope will be created. The technical committees will continue their work, in order for us to move forward and reassume negotiations at the political level, where decisions will finally be made. I cannot say what period is necessary for convergence and agreement. A meeting is scheduled with Mr Akinci and representatives from the United Nations, to arrange for the dialogue process to be re-initiated and for us to move forward. However, I do not want to make any specific statement on the matter. That may have a negative effect in terms of the special climate that prevails between us and the negotiating parties. Any issues or differences will have to be resolved at the negotiating table, but my will and that of Mr Akinci is there and we have the necessary precondition for us to be able to forward for peace, stability and security, and for the long-term prospects of the citizens on our island.