By Christos A. Kara, Attorney at Law, President of the Famagusta Bar Association
Yesterday’s trilateral meeting on the Cyprus issue left a cautiously positive impression. Agreements were reached, certain practical steps were outlined, and, most importantly, the prospect of continuing the effort under the auspices of the United Nations remained open.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
However, it would be an exaggeration to speak of substantial progress toward resolving the Cyprus issue. And this is precisely the reality that we must assess with a clear head. We must neither underestimate what has been achieved nor foster expectations that are not yet justified by the facts.
Small steps, major unresolved issues
The agreement to open two new crossing points, the initiatives of the Technical Committees, and the resumption of the Imagine program are positive developments. These are measures that can make daily life easier, strengthen communication between the two communities, and help build trust.
However, we must not confuse trust-building with resolving the problem. The Cyprus problem is not primarily a matter of roadblocks or bicommunal activities. It is a matter of ongoing occupation, security, sovereignty, and the reunification of our homeland.
Confidence-building measures are valuable when they serve a broader political goal. They cannot be turned into a substitute for substantive negotiations. Yesterday’s meeting did not result in an agreement to resume talks. Nor was there any clear convergence on the issues that continue to divide the two sides. Consequently, progress was real but limited.
The Next Meeting and What Is Really at Stake
The most significant outcome of yesterday’s proceedings may not lie in what was agreed upon, but in what may still follow. The prospect of a new meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General keeps diplomatic interest alive and leaves open the possibility of further developments.
This, in and of itself, is not insignificant. The question, however, is whether the next meeting will be yet another episode in a protracted process or the starting point for substantive negotiations. For the latter to happen, more is needed than just a positive atmosphere and upbeat announcements. It requires a clear agreement on methodology, genuine political will, and, above all, a shared understanding of the basis on which the talks will be conducted. We cannot start from scratch every time.
The negotiating achievements, the convergences that have been reached, and the agreed framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as set forth in the relevant United Nations resolutions, must form the basis of our efforts. Otherwise, we risk getting bogged down in discussions about the process without ever getting to the heart of the matter.
The Turkey Factor
The presence of Tufan Erhurman creates a different environment for communication. However, it would be premature to assume that this implies a substantive shift in Turkey’s positions. Ankara continues to play a decisive role.
The real test will be whether Turkey will allow and support a process within the agreed-upon United Nations framework, abandoning its demands for a two-state solution. Without this precondition, even the best intentions or the most positive personal relationships are unlikely to lead to a meaningful outcome.
Time is not neutral
Finally, there is one aspect we must never forget. Fifty-two years after the invasion, the passage of time does not leave the situation unchanged. Facts on the ground are becoming entrenched, demographic and social realities are changing, and the prospect of reunification is becoming increasingly complex. That is why maintaining the process is necessary, but it cannot be an end in itself.
Our side must remain steadfastly committed to the goal of a solution, take the initiative, and make the most of every real opportunity for progress, without compromising on fundamental principles. Neither unwarranted optimism nor fatalism.
Yesterday’s meeting did not change the status quo of the Cyprus issue. However, it kept one possibility open. Whether this possibility will develop into a real opportunity will be determined by the next steps. Because the goal is not simply to keep the door to talks open. It is to ensure there is a real prospect that this will one day lead to the reunification of our homeland.
