The quality of the Conference on Cyprus depends on the discussions on January 9-11, stressed the Special Adviser to the Secretary General. of the UN for the Cyprus issue
In a general description of the process initiated in Geneva for the settlement of the Cyprus problem, with clarifications that some clarify some important parameters, others do not sink into even greater ambiguity, the Special Adviser of the General Secretary made. of the United Nations, Espen Barth Eide, in a press conference he gave at the Palace of Nations in Geneva yesterday afternoon, where talks are underway since yesterday morning between the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis and the Turkish leader Mustafa Akinci.
Mr. Eide referred to the ongoing process and its prospects, making it clear that the January 12th Cyprus Conference will be effective only if there is success between 9th and 11th January.
He made it clear that the conference would take place regardless of the progress made in the three days of negotiations between the two leaders, but stressed that its quality depended heavily on the discussions of 9 January to 11 January, noting that, in a reciprocal way. , the latter are highly dependent on the expectation of a successful international conference.
Security and Guarantees
Mr Eide said the January 12 conference would seek to resolve the "big and challenging issues of the Security and Guarantee Fund" and would take place, in addition to the involvement of the two communities, with the additional involvement of the guarantors. forces, Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom, and the EU. in a special observer role.
The Norwegian diplomat said that "we are now in the final moment, we are now really in the moment of truth", noting that the process is open end, since the Conference will start on January 12 but they have not said when it will end.
Referring to the prospect of an agreement on resolving the Cyprus issue in Geneva, he noted that his own sense is that "this will be difficult", but it remains possible, explaining that it will be difficult, because even if the majority of issues are resolved in all chapters. , "Are not the easiest issues we have left for last".
"Naturally, these are some of the more complex or emotional issues we have left for the end and that is the nature of this kind of conversation," he said, adding that "we have a clear agreed structure on how to organize the hours that we have for all issues, because in each chapter there is one or more issues that need to be resolved ".
He praised the efforts of the two leaders, noting that although they show a lot of courage, a lot of will and leadership, it is not easy to make the final agreements that they are trying to reach these days.
Mr Eide also said he was not aware of any issues in the talks that could not be resolved if there was sufficient will.
There will be no arbitration
Referring to the International Conference on Cyprus, he said that it will be held under the auspices of the Secretary General. of the United Nations, noting that "all players are necessary, because we are discussing a security settlement" in the context of a federal solution in Cyprus.
He added that the guarantor powers, due to the existence of three Treaties, and the EU should participate in this discussion, in the sense that "this united country will be a full member of the Union".
The Norwegian diplomat reiterated that the talks are of Cypriot guidance and ownership, that it is the leaders of Cyprus who are responsible for every proposal and word in the talks and that there is not and will not be any kind of arbitration by the United Nations.
Answering a question, Mr. Eide said that the United Nations will not arbitrate the Security and Guarantee chapter either. "Nevertheless, because this concerns many players and not just the two sides in Cyprus, I have spent a lot of time traveling and discussing with Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom in recent weeks to ensure that our preparations "They are the best for the 12th (January)," he said. He added that there is still work to be done on this front.
The supportive role of the EU
Asked about the presence of the EU At the Conference on Cyprus, Mr. Eide noted that the participants in the Conference are Mr. Anastasiadis and Mr. Akinci, Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom.
For the presence of the EU clarified that "we agree that, because the EU is an interested party, as a united Cyprus will be a member of the EU, the EU. has a role to play and has been involved constructively ", adding that during the talks" they will be present and supportive, of course, now, at a much higher level, but in principle as it was during the process through their delegation in Cyprus ".
So, when we need advice, we invite the EU, which does not mean that they have a role in decision-making, but they have a supportive role, he pointed out.
Representation at the highest level
Asked about the representation of the guarantor powers at the conference, Mr Eide said that "discussions are taking place between us and the guarantor powers and between the guarantor powers themselves on this issue", adding that "they will be represented here at the highest level or at the second highest level and this decision remains to be made ".
They will certainly see what the other will do when they make their decision, he explained, noting that the level of representation on the first day of the Conference will not necessarily be the same as the level of representation on the last day.
He said that what both Turkey and Greece in particular are saying is that they are watching what is happening between January 9th and 11th, because they want to see how most of the other issues will be overcome or close to a final settlement, "he said. because they are not interested in taking part in discussions that should be left and will be left for the Cypriots ".
The participation of K.D.
Asked if the Republic of Cyprus has been invited to the Cyprus Conference, the Norwegian diplomat said that "it is Mr. Anastasiadis and Mr. Akindzi who have decided to hold these meetings and are here, and are the parties, the parties to this Conference".
He spoke of alternative interpretations of what that means, adding that "you know exactly who they are and we know exactly what they mean." He added that neither they have been invited to the Conference, nor he has been invited, since "it is Mr. Anastasiadis and Akindzi who decided to hold this Conference with him" and they are the ones who invite the others.
Answering another question, Mr. Eide said that the ambition is to develop a "21st century security arrangement" that "should address the security concerns" of each community, without raising concerns. for safety on the other side.
"Sticking" to the Property
Asked about the Property, he said that this is a big and complex issue and that the general principles of an agreement have been in place for a long time, but they are stuck on some issues "small and big, depending on how one sees them", such as how to define the concept of emotional connection and other issues.
He stressed that they will work hard to resolve these issues and that yesterday was a good start and they had a good discussion. The leaders, he explained, decided to set up a small working group on these issues, with the ambition of having a mutually agreed result.
Asked which issues are close to being resolved, the Special Adviser said that he considers that in matters of Economy and the EU. there really is nothing dramatic left to be done.
The implementation of the solution
Mr. Eide also stressed the importance of implementing the solution and said that they are discussing it as well, in addition to the discussions they have about the political agreement.
Answering another question, Mr. Eide said that the guarantor forces have reported to the Secretary General. that they would love to see the Cyprus issue resolved, explaining that what they have told him in Athens and Ankara is that a solution in Cyprus will have a positive impact on open political issues that exist for both countries (Greece and Turkey), except that it will be something good for the Cypriots.
The Norwegian diplomat also noted that it should not be taken for granted that "frozen conflicts" will remain so forever.
"Friendship Pact"
Answering another question on the issue of Security and Guarantees, Mr. Eide referred to a proposal by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias for a "Friendship Pact" that has not yet been negotiated, to note that "all these issues will be raised in table here ".
Finally, when asked about the submission of maps by both sides on January 11, Mr. Eide said that "this is an important part (of the process) that will take place on January 11".
"Bitter are the truths"
The Eide interview in Geneva clarified the following: The EU will be there as a special observer and will participate in the International Conference having only an advisory character, if and when requested. The presence of the Republic of Cyprus in the International Conference is not guaranteed. He said verbatim that "the Cypriots and the three guarantor forces are present" and in a clarifying question he said that "we all know who is who". The "constructive ambiguities" of the Supper of December 1 continue.
This was stated in a statement by the Spokesman of the Solidarity Movement, Giannis Selinopoulos, adding that "exactly what President Anastasiadis wanted to avoid and proclaimed for so long as an unattractive scenario, he lives in Geneva, that is, the remaining funds ".
Source: SigmaLive