The United Nations is preparing for a solemn start of the negotiations in Mont Peléran while the two sides in the Cyprus issue are preparing feverishly for a tough negotiation not only in the territorial chapter. The Turkish side is preparing new moves in view of the negotiations in Mont Peléran, Switzerland on November 7, which is why it sought to expand the agenda of the talks early so that the discussion could go beyond the territorial. The intention of the Turkish side is to connect the territorial with the issues of security. A move that could seemingly be considered positive, but in practice things are completely different.
The territorial is considered crucial for the further course of the talks, while at the same time it needs special attention. Foreigners involved in the Cyprus issue understand that Nicosia does not intend to accept guarantees from the Erdogan government. The Cypriot Government takes every opportunity to underline the difficulties that exist in accepting the Turkish guarantees more broadly, but also because of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in particular. This position of the Greek Cypriot side is also perceived by the Turkish Cypriots.
So, having in mind the fact that the Greek Cypriot side refuses the issue of guarantees, the Turkish Cypriots turn the weight of the discussions to the territorial one. Their goal and intention is to win on the ground and in particular to ensure the non-return of Morphou under Greek Cypriot administration. In order to achieve this, M. Akinci and the Turkish side must link the territorial debate with security on the basis of the following logic: Mustafa Akinci will appear submissive on security issues while claiming at the same time on the ground with profits beyond what provided for the Annan plan, that is, not to give Morphou to the Greek Cypriots.
On the other hand, for the Greek Cypriot side, there is no question of retreating to the territory, something that has made Turkish Cypriots and foreigners clear in every direction. At the same time, Nicosia realizes that the Turkish side will try during the talks in Switzerland to make the moves to reach an agreement on the ground, in the logic of the non-return of Morphou by giving promises on the issue of security. Because it is very well known that in matters of security and guarantees it is not Mustafa Akinci who will make the decisions but Ankara. So far, however, Turkey has not shown any willingness to discuss security issues in a way that satisfies Greek Cypriot concerns. With the specific attitude of the Turkish side, it also becomes clear that it will be particularly difficult or even impossible for President Anastasiadis to make moves on the ground.
Federica Mogherini calls on Turkish Cypriots to trust Europe
Federica Mogherini, who paid a working visit to Cyprus, sent a clear message to the Turkish side and especially to the Turkish Cypriots. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has suggested that the EU umbrella and being a member state of a united Europe offer a guarantee of its security.
According to our information, during the meeting, President Anastasiadis stressed to the European official the importance of the role of the EU itself in terms of the solution of the Cyprus problem. In particular, on the issue of security and guarantees, he pointed out that the EU itself should consider whether it is permissible for a non-Member State to guarantee a Member State of the Union. On the issue of the functioning of the state after the solution, he pointed out that the final agreement must be fully in line with the European acquis in order not to create problems in the functioning of the EU itself, citing Belgium as an example. In addition, he called on the Union to contribute to the implementation of the solution and the functioning of the state after the agreement, as well as to the EU's support for the economy.
Relevant information states that Federica Mogherini, for her part, noted the importance that the acquis imposed by Europe itself on the Member States provides security and guarantees the functioning of the countries. He assured President Anastasiadis that he would convey this message in the meeting he would have with Mustafa Akinci in the occupied territories.
Before going to the occupied territories, in the statements she made after talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Kasoulidis, Mrs. Mogherini was very clear in the security chapter. Asked to state the EU's position on security and guarantees, the High Representative noted that these issues are still being discussed by the parties themselves. "It is extremely important for the negotiations, the leaders to make decisions and come up with solutions that can be beneficial for the whole island. "Obviously, the best guarantee for the security of any country in the world is a functioning state, and, in particular, for any EU Member State, the best guarantee for its security is its very capacity as a member of the Union."
Elsewhere in her remarks, Mogherini stressed that the EU's role is to encourage leaders "and their determination in a way that benefits all Cypriots in a united European Cyprus". He went on to say that "we have discussed ways in which the EU can better strengthen these steps and we personally (ss. And Mr. Stylianidis) support the efforts, the talks under the auspices of the United Nations and share the leaders' assessments that it is possible to overcome the remaining challenges that exist ". Mogherini also noted that the two leaders show determination to "continue and intensify talks in November in Switzerland, overcome challenges and reach an agreement on a comprehensive settlement by the end of this year."
The situation in the region
The European official also referred to the fact that a solution to the Cyprus problem could positively affect the developments in the region. This, he said, is a particularly difficult area that needs help, needs to believe in diplomacy and political solutions and added that "this can be a game-changer not only for the Cypriots and the island, but also for the The EU, the south-eastern Mediterranean and the whole of the Middle East. "
The situation in the wider region was one of the topics discussed by Kasoulidis and Mogherini. In her statements, the European official stressed that in recent months "we have been working intensively to strengthen two key issues: the first is the financing of Daesh and terrorist acts in general, and the second concerns the control of terrorists not only on their way to the EU. but also to Syria and Iraq. "
Sensitivities on both sides, Aida sees
The United Nations officially announced the presence of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday at the start of talks in Switzerland. In a written statement, Espen Barth Aida said that the UN Secretary General would announce the start of intensive negotiations between the leaders of the two communities on Monday, November 7, in Switzerland.
The meeting, it is reported, will focus on the territorial as well as all other outstanding issues in an interconnected manner. The two leaders, he added, jointly expressed the hope that the meeting in Switzerland would pave the way for the final phase of the talks, based on their joint commitment to make every effort to reach a settlement within 2016.
Mr. Aida points out in his statement that this is the first time that they are directly negotiating the territorial, a chapter "particularly sensitive for both sides and this is the main reason why they decided to hold the talks outside Cyprus and the reason why they want them to take place. interlinked with other relevant chapters ".
Source: Liberal