“If the Annan Plan had been implemented, if something had been achieved in Crans-Montana, perhaps different steps could have been taken then. But given the current status quo and the balance of power, no change is permitted.” Hakan Fidan, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hakan Fidan speaks clearly about sovereign equality and maintaining the Turkish presence on the island to protect the Turkish Cypriots.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
This highlights that, at least publicly, Ankara’s position on the Cyprus issue has not shifted.
“The Greek Cypriot side will never engage in a sharing of power, a sharing of prosperity, or a sharing of the state with the Turks. That is certain. The people have a state in their hands. They have become members of the European Union.” Hakan Fidan, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is represented at the UN. It enjoys all the benefits. Do you really believe that it will go and share this with someone else? They themselves know that this is a lie. When we tell the international community this, they know it too.
Turkey’s sweeping approach is being documented at a time when the UN Secretary-General’s initiative is underway.
Against the backdrop of the first meeting between Christodoulides and Erciyurman on the afternoon of August 26, reports indicate that the two sides will focus on confidence-building measures.
The Greek Cypriot side wishes to reopen discussions on the Athienou-Mia Milia roadblock, based on the Secretary-General’s own proposal.
A meeting between negotiators from both sides is expected in the coming days, while at the same time, the process of documenting areas of convergence continues; these will be shared with all parties involved.
New Criticism from Averoff
In response to Maria Olgin’s interview in the Politis newspaper—in which, among other things, she makes it clear that, in her view, the peace effort in Cyprus depends on the two leaders— former DISY President Averof Neophytou has launched a critique of the stance taken by the Greek Cypriot side.
“Some of us, reading between the lines, warned society—and especially the President—in a timely manner. Now, based on what Ms. Olgin has said, the facts are absolutely clear and fully align with our analysis regarding the need for an agreement on roadblocks, the methodology, and the substance of the negotiations. Otherwise, the five-party talks are a dead end. And the impasse remains. Let’s finally take a decisive step forward.” Averof Neophytou, Former President of DISY
In the occupied territories, the newspaper *Kipris* claims that a diplomatic issue has arisen between the Republic of Cyprus and Germany, prompted by the detention of a usurper.
“Two years in prison without trial!” KIPRIS
is the newspaper’s headline, which refers to a report in the German newspaper *Bild* about a German citizen who has been detained in Cyprus for nearly two years in connection with a case involving Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied territories.
The newspaper reports that the prolonged detention, with no conclusion to the legal proceedings in sight, is causing a backlash in Germany and that the issue is taking on a diplomatic dimension.
See the report by Giorgos Georgiadis
