The two leaders, who are diametrically opposed, attempt to fill the void of the absence of talks on the Cyprus issue with their own narratives. President Christodoulidis, acting on the visit of his Estonian counterpart, reiterated that his goal is the reunification of Cyprus and that Cypriots have a common future together. And Ersin Tatar insisted that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots should live in two separate states.
The Cyprus issue was one of the topics on the agenda of Nikos Christodoulidis' talks with Alan Karis. The two presidents discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the region as well as issues related to the European agenda. Cyprus and Estoniathis year they complete 20 years as EU member states. Mr. Karis expressed his joy to be in Cyprus at the time when both countries are celebrating their 20th anniversary of joining the EU. “This visit underlines the depth of our partnership with Cyprus and our desire to further cultivate our friendly relations”, he said.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, President Christodoulidis noted that this year marks 50 years since the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the continued occupation of EU territory. He said that he assured his Estonian counterpart that his vision and sole purpose from the first moment of assuming the of his duties as President of the Republic, “is the end of the occupation, the reunification of Cyprus, so that all Cypriots can look forward to a brighter, common future together”, and that he underlined the importance of the EU itself, with a more active role to contribute to these efforts.
The two leaders after their talks had the opportunity to walk along the Green Line. From the observatory of the municipality of Nicosia, the two presidents and their wives watched occupied Nicosia. “Well, it's sad that there is a Green Line and we don't have a (united) island and people can live in peace,” the President of Estonia said at the end of the visit and expressed hope “that this moment will come”.< /p>
In the occupied territories, Ersin Tatar speaking to a delegation of Ankara journalists (source Cyprus/GTP) admitted that the policy he has been following in the Cyprus issue for three years is with the full support of Turkey. He also reiterated that an agreement can only be reached “with the admission of sovereign equality and equal international status”.
According to the leader of the Turkish Cypriots, since Turkey is not a member of the EU “the balance is against us” and “a solution in Cyprus is now possible with a two-state solution”. While he insisted that “an agreement on a federal basis on the island hides many risks, Tatar said that the withdrawal of Turkey from the island, the abolition of guarantees calling them “outdated” and the withdrawal of the occupying army from Cyprus, will bring the end of “Turkish Cypriot people” and therefore this will never be allowed. He also claimed that the solution based on the federation involves risks such as cutting ties with Anatolia and undermining Turkey's security and at the same time blocking it from the Eastern Mediterranean, to emphasize that “an agreement on Cyprus is only possible with the cooperation of two sovereign states after the accession of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU”.
However, Ersin Tatar's approaches cause reactions within the Turkish Cypriot community. Asim Akansoy (so-called RTK “MP”) accused Ersin Tatar (Cyprus/GTP source) of “putting the cart before the horse” and this approach cannot be accepted. The reason for Akansoi's position is the information that Tatar sets conditions for the resumption of talks, such as the lifting of the so-called “embargo” and the opening of the illegal Tymbou airport for international flights.
In between the t/c parties that met in the context of the bicommunal dialogue in Ledra Palace agreed that the window of opportunity for the resumption of negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem must be utilized in a constructive way. In a Joint Communiqué issued after their meeting, under the auspices of the Embassy of Slovakia, it is stated that the participants expressed their views on the topic proposed by the host party United Democrats under the theme “Time is of the essence: Two generations of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots passed away them in anticipation and disappointment. Let us give the prospect of peace, cooperation, development and prosperity to the younger generations of Cypriots, before it is too late. Let's make geography work to our advantage.”
