Filenews 6 March 2022 - by Kostas Venizelos
Nicosia is attempting to move in two axes at this stage, wanting to "test" the occupying Turkey: In the package of CBMs, which it submitted, along with the so-called positive agenda of Turkey and the EU.
Nicosia's approach is that only with Ankara can it become a game as far as the CBMs are concerned and it seems that an attempt is being made through the channels of Brussels, to enter into the discussion and the issue of upgrading the customs union. What is being asked by the Republic of Cyprus is to implement as a first step the implementation of the "Ankara Protocol". To open Turkish ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes, a step that "will allow Nicosia" to become more... flexible on the issue of EU-Turkey dialogue and start the debate on the Customs Union.
Nicosia's attention is on Famagusta. The aim, as mentioned, is to prevent movements and faits accomplis, which will be "without return". Ankara's move in Famagusta neutralizes any discussion in the territorial. The Government of Cyprus believes that although there is no optimism, its initiative aims at the resumption of negotiations. A goal far away today.
The occupying power does not intend to discuss the return of the enclave before the overall solution, when and whenever it arises. It attempts to make it more difficult for any discussions with faits accomplis, which are imposed slowly and steadily, by measuring the reactions. Reports say that in this context Ankara is trying to find investors for the enclosed area of Famagusta, while approaching foreign and Greek Cypriot owners. This is to give the actions of "semblance of legitimacy." It is obvious that the occupying Turkey wants to develop the region as, among other things, it wants revenues (not only to have expenses in so many difficult times!). That is why the issue of colonization proceeds normally, but without "noise".
Can Turkish moves to impose faits accomplis on Famagusta stop? This is a difficult task as Ankara has no cost, which is why it continues. Regardless of what was said in the Council of Chiefs last Thursday by the President that the policy of sanctions has not been abandoned, that does not seem to be the case. As this was announced from Nicosia to Brussels and even with... celebratory way! It is clear that apart from the issue of Famagusta, there is also that of the airport of Tymbos, about which there is concern (not from the Government that proposes it) that if it works "it will be a substitute for the solution". It will largely be the solution by upgrading - and even recognising - the occupying regime.
It is obvious that Nicosia, knowing the fate of the CBMs, without abandoning them, is trying through Brussels to open a debate, which both its European partners and Ankara want, as it will have significant benefits. That of the Customs Union. The Republic of Cyprus claims that Ankara will be tested and if it does not cooperate it will be exposed. The question is whether it is interested in Turkey if it is exposed. The money from the Customs Union is of interest to her, but the question is whether she is ready to give quid pro quo.
The presence of the British envoy
At the same time, despite the war in Ukraine and the prolonged stagnation on the Cyprus issue, the Foreign Office is attempting to maintain mobility by investing in old formulas. Formulas, which under certain conditions, as mentioned by the British side can "walk". The descent of the envoy of the English Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for the Cyprus issue, Ajay Sharma, reminded above all that every three months the official of the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs has in his program to visit Cyprus for meetings. And that the Cyprus issue remains in the sphere of influence of London, which has the patent of its management.
In his contacts, Sharma reintroduced the British proposal for an exchange of letters from President Anastasiades and the occupying leader, Ersin Tatar, in which they would describe their positions and show intentions to satisfy the concerns of the other side. The Turkish side had rejected this proposal, which was linked to two more steps: To issue a joint communiqué, along the lines of that February 2014 (Anastasiades-Eroglu), taking into account, however, the new circumstances (;). If this were done, the next thing would be the invitation of the Secretary General to the parties involved for talks.
The President of the Republic during the meeting with the British official did not rule out the possibility of sending the letter to Tatar, in which he would also describe the package of Confidence Building Measures proposed by Nicosia. London believes that in this letter the President should clarify the status of the Turkish Cypriots after the solution. It is noted that at the informal Pentameric in Geneva, in April last year, Mr. Anastasiades had told the Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, that this issue could be described when we are a breath away from reaching an agreement. There should be a lot of agreement. In that regard, it should be recalled that in the context of previous soundings, Ajay Sharma presented a formula according to which 'the two communities which today, as Community States, will establish the Federal Republic of Cyprus, in the same way as the Republic of Cyprus was founded in 1960, that is to say by the two communities'.
For Mr. Ajay Sharma, Anastasiades' letter to Tatar, with "the right content", will be the trigger for a new effort to proceed with the Cyprus issue. With the letter, he explained to his Greek Cypriot interlocutors, he will be able to go to Ankara to have something concrete and start discussions.
Nicosia also raised with the British envoy the issue of the appointment of a special envoy by the United Nations, asked to present the CBMs to Turkey with the aim of not rejecting them from the outset and finally making an effort to have "common ground". In view of the fact that the CBMs package is described almost telegraphically, the British diplomat has asked for clarification, mainly on the implementation of some of the proposed measures.
It is clear that diplomatic efforts are not progressing. The Foreign Office chooses in the maintenance, through their presence, a form of mobility. Nicosia, which has run out of ideas and endurance, will try to set and develop its positions at the informal European Council, which dates back to 24 March, but without pre-empting the outcome. Especially if the focus is on Ukraine due to- possibly an ongoing war -- and Turkey does not respond.
THE "SOPHISTICATED NEUTER" AND THE REVISIONIST POLICY OF ERDOGAN
The role of the "deft neutral" played by Ankara in the Ukraine war seems to be positively valued both by Russia, which is the invading country, and by westerners, who are fire and fury with President Putin. Turkish drones are used by the Ukrainian army against the Russians (there are videos) while the game with the Straits has facilitated - as long as it took - Moscow. The Turks invoked "exercises" of the Russian navy. The closure of the Straits has no real effect and does not affect Russia.
It is obvious that Erdogan is looking for a role in giving credentials of great power. It is clear that the role of the "deft neutral" will be a vehicle for promoting his revisionist strategy.
