Cypriot president to UN: Cyprus solution will be “beacon of hope”

A Cyprus solution will act as a ‘beacon of hope’ for the peaceful resolution of the most intractable problems in the international community, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Thursday during his address at the United Nations General Assembly.

President Anastasiades, addressing the ongoing status of negotiations, stated that important progress has been made on a number of issues in his talks with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, under the auspices of the UN and the Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.

Differences, the President said, remain on a number of issues, “which will weigh significantly as to whether a solution would be feasible.”

Thanks to UN’s active role in Cyprus problem

Anastasiades thanked UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon for his service as his term comes to an end this year.

“Moreover, I wish to thank His Excellency for his active role in achieving a peaceful and comprehensive settlement on long-standing international issues, including the Cyprus problem,” he added.

The road since Anastasiades’ election in 2013

Regarding the ‘second longest-standing unresolved issue’, President Anastasiades said that after his election in 2013, a renewed effort had led on February 11, 2014 to the adoption of the Joint Declaration by the leaders of the two communities and the resumption of the negotiating process.

He added “after the tragic events of 1974 and Turkey’s invasion, the continuing military occupation of more than a third of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and the forcible displacement of approximately 40 per cent of the population, the Greek Cypriot side, in a spirit of compromise, accepted the evolution of the unitary state to a federal one.”

The Joint Declaration in February 2014 highlighted, he added, the following:

– Reaffirmation of the basis of the settlement
– Cyprus’ continued membership of the United Nations and of the European Union
– The values upon which the EU is founded shall be safeguarded throughout the island, with full respect to democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms
– Union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession or any other unilateral change to the state of affairs shall be prohibited

On the other hand, it established the methodology of the talks:

o All Chapters would be discussed interdependently
o It would be a leader-led process and only an agreement freely reached by those in charge might be put to simultaneous referenda, thus excluding any kind of arbitration
o Nothing would be considered as agreed until everything is agreed
o The leaders would aim to reach a settlement as soon as possible, without any enforced or artificial timelines

“Thus, both communities have agreed on the overarching rules and modalities that direct the negotiating process. This has enabled the two leaders to have a clear and shared understanding on the framework of the envisaged settlement and the ways and means of achieving it,” Anastasiades added.

“Last year, following the change in the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot Community, I spoke of my revived hope that the new round of negotiations would end the unacceptable status quo,” the President told the UN General Assembly.

Progress on important aspects of the Cyprus problem

The President has highlighted that during his negotiations with Akinci this year, progress has been made on a number of important aspects, as for the first time brainstorming discussions have commenced regarding the territorial readjustment and security chapters of the Cyprus problem.

He added that progress has been made on the following issues in the Cyprus talks:

– Confirming that United Cyprus shall have a single international legal personality, a single sovereignty and a single citizenship
– Guaranteeing, for all Cypriots, the freedom of movement, the right to acquire property, reside, practice a trade or profession and establish and operate a business or engage in any economic activity throughout Cyprus
– Full respect for the individual’s right to property
– Safeguarding that the demographic character of the island on the 1st Day of the Settlement will reflect, with a slight deviation, the traditional demographic composition of the Republic of Cyprus as established in 1960
– Ensuring that the said demographic composition will not be altered by outside influences
– Implementation of the EU acquis throughout the territory of Cyprus without deviations and permanent derogations
– Protecting the bi-zonal and bi-communal character of the settlement through specific clauses
– As agreed by the two leaders: the federal constitution shall prescribe that the united Cyprus federation shall be composed of two constituent states of equal status
– Establishing the mode in which political equality will be exercised, including the effective participation in decision-making at the federal level

“Further, convergences have been reached on most aspects of the Chapters of Governance, Economy and European Union to the benefit of all Greek and Turkish Cypriots,” Anastasiades added.

A Cyprus solution will act as a ‘beacon of hope’ for the peaceful resolution of the most intractable problems in the international community, President Nicos Anastasiades said

Significant progress, differences remain

The President, however, has addressed the significant differences which need to be overcome to provide the hope of reaching a solution the Cyprus problem.

He has said that differences continue to exist on the chapters of Governance, European Union, and Economy.

“The most significant differences lie in the core and fundamental chapters of Property, Territory and Security and Guarantees which will weigh significantly as to whether a solution would be feasible,” Anastasiades stated.

“Aim is to avoid failures”

President Anastasiades told the UN General Assembly that he wants to avoid failures of the past and present “to the people a clear and well-prepared settlement agreement, with not constructive or other ambiguities and deficiencies; ensuring that the solution will be politically and economically viable, functional, and lasting.”

The President said that with those goals in mind, the following issues, among others, need to be addressed:

– The financial dimension of the settlement, including costs related to the Property issue and to the institutional functioning of the Federal State
– Safeguarding the smooth implementation of the agreement
– The First Day of the solution and what it would entail
– Introducing the euro as legal tender on Day One of the Settlement
– Speedy implementation of the various aspects of the agreement

“I wish to, yet again, reiterate my resolve to continue working with the same determination and intensive pace in order to reach a solution the soonest and, if possible, by the end of the year.

“I do believe that this ambitious goal is achievable, provided that all interested parties and stakeholders, and in particular Turkey, show a similar degree of commitment, engage constructively and proceed with concrete and tangible steps which will positively reinforce the negotiating process,” he said.

Solution will first and foremost benefit all Cypriots

President Anastasiades has mentioned that a solution to the Cyprus problem will first and foremost benefit all Cypriots, as it will create conditions for peace, prosperity, and a ‘flourishing society’ that will unlock the island’s full potential for future generations.

He said that a solution to the Cyprus problem will:

– Reunite the country, its people, the economy and institutions
– Create a win-win situation for all Cypriots
– Address the expectations, sensitivities and concerns of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots
– Ensure a modern EU and UN member-state, enjoying full sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity
– Restore and fully respect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all its lawful citizens
– Establish Cyprus as an international paradigm of the peaceful co-existence and prosperous collaboration between all of its citizens, irrespective of their different ethnic, cultural and religious diversity
– Rid Cyprus of third country military troops or guarantees, an anachronism in today’s world

The President added: “Regionally, it would turn Cyprus into a model of stability and predictability, and would amplify Cyprus’ role as a security provider in one of the most turbulent areas of the world.”

Regarding Europe, a solution, President Anastasiades said, would end the ‘oxymoron’ of having one of its member states divided, “while it would also positively reinforce EU-Turkey’s relations and the overall security architecture of the EU.”

He closed: “Last, but not least, the solution of an international problem which has been on the agenda of the United Nations in the last decades, will offer a beacon of hope that even the most intractable problems can be solved peacefully through the United Nations.”