Nicosia wants to maintain the momentum of exerting pressure on the Turkish side on the issue of Cyprus in general and on the issue of Varos in particular. That is why the mobilization that started a month ago will continue.
The Cypriot government's goal is to keep the issue on the international agenda ahead of the UN General Assembly in September. The Cypriot government estimates that as long as the issue remains alive the more positive the results can be. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Christodoulidis, told RIK that the mobilization will be both in the direction of the European Union and the United Nations. September already has a very busy schedule as it is on the one hand the United Nations General Assembly and on the other the European summits (both at the level of Heads of State and at the level of Foreign Ministers).
The issues of Cyprus (Famagusta and Cyprus) will be at the center of discussions and consultations. Especially regarding the EU, N. Christodoulidis said that the Cypriot government has clarified that depending on the behavior of Europe, it will be its own.
For Nicosia, its effort has a double goal:
- First, to overthrow the accomplishments and change the basis of the solution promoted by the Turkish side
- Secondly, to resume talks on a solution to the Cyprus problem
In order to achieve these two goals, Nicosia utilizes the available material. Political, diplomatic and legal.
As for the tactics followed by Nicosia, in the first phase the weight of the efforts was focused on the Security Council and the Presidential Statement “to be the basis on which to build our next steps”, said N. Christodoulidis speaking to RIK.
The Foreign Minister pointed out that nothing is a given at the international level. “What works at the international level is how the interests of the states are served”, said N. Christodoulidis.
Especially on the issue of the resolution for the renewal of the term of UNFICYP, he stated that it should be taken into account how things started with the first draft and how they finally ended. He noted the support of many states for the efforts of Cyprus, “some for the first time”. As Nikos Christodoulidis explained, everyone understands the illegality of the Turkish actions, “but in the end in the equation they make, what counts is the service of their own interests.
Regarding the draft prepared by Britain, N. Christodoulidis admitted that “there were many things that did not satisfy us”. The negative points in the draft if they remained as they were written “would encourage Turkey or allow it to interpret that what it promotes in the Cyprus issue finds ground”.
What was asked for Nicosia was “there should be no ambiguity, constructive or not” and the end result reflects what was set as a goal from the beginning.
Nikos Christodoulidis was also asked to comment on the stance taken by United Nations officials. He noted that the United Nations is acting in accordance with the terms of reference set out in the resolutions.
And the reports may contain elements that are judged negatively, “but what counts is the resolution” and “it is the resolution resulting from the UN that gives the terms of reference and guidelines to the United Nations.”
The actions of the British are expected
Especially for Britain, Nikos Christodoulidis admitted that “there is an issue” regarding her behavior which is discussed at the political and official level. He noted that the British move “did not surprise us” and “was something we expected”. That is why preparations had been made “for some other directions that we knew could be effective in dealing effectively with such problems.”
Nicosia had aimed not to limit the support of its own positions to one or two countries of the European Union or a permanent member of the Security Council. Because, as the Foreign Minister explained, when there is massive support, the messages are transferred to where they should be transferred and “at the same time you expect that a result will emerge. Especially regarding the last resolution for UNFICYP, there was a “total reaction to some reports that were sought to be included”.
Nicosia, according to Foreign Minister Christodoulidis, is satisfied with the attitude of the United States. Both on the issue of Famagusta and in the Presidential Statement but also during the discussion of the resolution “the position of the United States was identical with the aspirations” of Cyprus. Especially in the case of the USA, Nicosia considers the fact that a relevant issue has been raised for discussion in the US Parliament to be an important element in maintaining the pressure on Turkey.
Philenews
