“What does a solution to the Cyprus problem mean for Turkey right now? The solution we’re talking about right now is essentially two states. That is the ideal.”
Hakan Fidan – Turkish Foreign Minister
He thought about
it for four seconds, took a breath, and spoke again about two states, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, making it clear that Turkey has long since made its decisions.
“The Greeks and the Turks should have their own states and live side by side on the island in peace and harmony. They should have a situation that contributes to the island’s prosperity and regional peace.”
Hakan Fidan – Turkish Foreign
Minister At the same time, he
reiterates that Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, stating that the one established in 1960 is not the same as the one that joined the EU.
“The Cyprus that joined the European Union is not the Cyprus that emerged from the 1960 agreement. We recognized Cyprus in ’60, we guaranteed it, and they betrayed us. So, the two communities are equal, and now there is a Cyprus based on their own ‘administration.’
Hakan Fidan – Turkish Foreign Minister
Sovereign Equality
At the same time, he
places all the blame for the stalemate in the negotiations on the Greek Cypriot side, which, according to him, is due to the fact that Nicosia has consistently refused—and does not appear likely to accept in the future—sovereign equality in the area of governance, and beyond
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
.”What we have observed is that the Greek Cypriot side does not want to share power, the distribution of wealth, and responsibilities equally in a new state. This is as certain as two plus two equals four.”
Hakan Fidan – Turkish Foreign Minister
At the same time, he made
it clear that Turkey is very sensitive about the issue of its military presence in Cyprus, which, according to him, is also the reason why there has been stability on the island for the past 50 years.
“Both from an economic standpoint and in terms of security, who has provided that guarantee all these years? The Republic of Turkey takes care of it, because they are our brothers.”
Hakan Fidan – Turkish Foreign Minister
Euro-Turkish Relations and the Cyprus Issue
In her interview with “P,” however, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy made it clear that the United Nations will not get involved in efforts to link Euro-Turkish relations with the Cyprus issue.
She acknowledged, however, that a positive development regarding the outstanding issues between Brussels and Ankara would be helpful.
“The United Nations will not get involved in this parallel process. The European Commission will handle it directly with Turkey.”
María Ángela Olguín – Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on the Cyprus Issue
She noted that the likelihood of progress depends on the efforts to be made in the coming period by the EU Special Representative, Raffaele Fito, with whom the United Nations is in contact.
Watch the report by Giorgos Chrysanthos:
