This represents progress and a step-by-step move toward a process, the outcome of today’s trilateral meeting, said Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman at a press conference following his meeting with the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, in the presence of UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy María Ángela Olguín, noting that the agreement to open the two roadblocks at Louroutzina–Lybia and Kampos – Karavostasi was part of the package of proposals he himself had submitted.
However, he did not wish to disclose the contents of the proposal he submitted—which could have changed the dynamics of the process— stating that President Christodoulides did not wish to do so today and wants to give him some time to think and an opportunity for diplomatic dialogue. Responding to questions from journalists, he said that he would like to discuss this proposal with the UN Secretary-General at the trilateral meeting they will have with him.
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In remarks to reporters that lasted about an hour this afternoon, the Turkish Cypriot leader said that, compared to President Christodoulides’ proposal regarding Varosha and the port of Famagusta, he considers his own proposal to be much more balanced and acceptable, noting that he had formulated it in consultation with the Republic of Turkey. “But as I said, I don’t want this proposal to ‘die’ because of the initial reactions. Because I consider it very substantial. And I believe it’s something that could be described as a ‘game changer.’”
“So, there’s a phrase that our dear Nikos uses from time to time: ‘Let’s give diplomacy a chance.’ I want us to give diplomacy a chance on this issue,” he added.
I don’t think this proposal is so insignificant that we should let it slip away, Mr. Erhurman added, noting that “something heard for the first time may not be immediately accepted.” “We didn’t do this with the aim of scoring a goal and taking the lead,” he added. “And I believe that, if they think it through carefully, it will offer a truly significant opportunity to bring about change in the Cyprus talks. That’s why, unless there are leaks to the press, etc., I want to give my counterpart a little more time to think it over.”
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The Turkish Cypriot leader said he submitted a four-point proposal regarding the checkpoints, and the last point was accepted. He said that discussions on the other two crossing points—Milia and Pyroi — Aglantzia — as well as access to Pyla through the buffer zone. As he explained, Pyla came up in the discussion when it was proposed to use a section of the buffer zone along the Pyroi–Aglantzia route. Such a situation, he continued, does not occur at other roadblocks, raising the question of who would intervene in the event of an accident or criminal activity. He noted that they had discussed this with the Secretary-General regarding this specific checkpoint.
He continued by saying that while the Greek Cypriot side insisted on using the buffer zone “for balance,” the Turkish Cypriot side proposed using the buffer zone to provide access to Pyla. “This,” he said, “is not something I proposed, but rather something I found already on the table.”
Responding to questions, the Turkish Cypriot leader agreed with the Turkish President’s statement that no solution is not a solution, but “this time it must be different,” as the UN Secretary-General had said, he noted. The issue, he continued, is whether the Greek Cypriots are ready to share power and natural resources with the Turkish Cypriots, noting that to date, “what we see is that they are not.”
When asked to comment on Ms. Olgin’s criticism of President Christodoulides regarding the 19-point plan and of himself regarding the 4-point proposal, Tufan Erhurman said that today both he and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy received a document from Mr. Christodoulides containing this 19-point proposal. Regarding his own proposal—on methodology—he said that he respects Ms. Olgin but does not share it, arguing that one of the reasons the process stalled at Crans-Montana was the failure to accept the principle of political equality and the rotating presidency.
READ ALSO: “Yes” to opening two new checkpoints: Trilateral meeting between Guterres, Christodoulides, and Erhurman set for the coming weeks
Regarding the Turkish minister’s illegal visit, Hakan Fidan to the occupied territories, he said it was supposed to take place a month ago but was postponed due to developments and finally took place last Friday. Mr. Erhurman said that Ankara was aware of the proposals he submitted today and that he submitted them following consultations.
Responding to a question about his joint appearance in Antalya, Turkey, with President Christodoulides and the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Erhurman said that Ms. Olgin had explored whether an informal meeting of the three could take place there, but President Christodoulides replied that his visit would be very brief. The Turkish Cypriot leader said that if there is time, he is available to meet with them.
The crossing points
Regarding the crossing points, Mr. Erciyurman said he had submitted a multi-stage proposal that includes the construction by the Turkish side of the road that will pass through the occupied area along the route from Pyroio – Athienou route, followed by the section of that road from Athienou to Geri, after which the Greek Cypriot side would take over with EU funding. For the expropriation of Greek Cypriot properties along this route, he proposed a solution through the “Immovable Property Commission.”
He also proposed the simultaneous opening of all four checkpoints—namely, Pyroi, Louroutzina, Mia Milia, and Karavostasi—and resolving access to Pyla “all together as a package.” His third proposal was to open Mia Milia and Kampos–Karavostasi, and his fourth was to open the crossing points at Louroutzina–Lybia and Kampos – Karavostasi.
Mr. Erhurman noted that among the “bridge-building proposals” he submitted are a joint disaster response mechanism, direct cooperation through a military mechanism, and the creation of a coordination mechanism for demining the buffer zone, the resumption of the “Imagine” program, and (initially) the opening of all crossing points.
Among its proposals was a program called “EduBites” from the Technical Committee on Education, the exchange of data, information, projects, files, and documents within the scope of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, and cooperation on these matters.
He also proposed, he said, the completion of three projects by the Technical Committee on the Environment; and regarding the restoration of the Maronite churches and the Armenian Monastery, he said they would proceed unilaterally in any case, but that they could benefit from the expertise and experience of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. “If you look at the results achieved today, they all stem from these proposals,” he argued.
Source: CNA
