Developments concerning the Cyprus Problem have reached dizzying proportions in recent days. Almost every day, statements—especially those made by the Turkish side—based on a timetable create the impression that negotiations will proceed according to a set timetable, but the Greek Cypriot side continues to oppose this.
Most recently, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s statement at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Özdil Nami that the leaders might meet on November 4 prompted a strong reaction from the Greek Cypriot side. The newspaper Fileleftheros even shared the statement with its readers under the headline “They’re Celebrating on Their Own...” and the subhead “Davutoğlu Announced the Start of Negotiations in Haste. The UN Said, Not Yet... Ankara’s Moves Regarding Recognition.” The newspaper also informed its readers that the date of November 4 had not been set by the UN.
Ultimately, as I noted at the outset, every statement from the Turkish side about setting a timetable is closely monitored and denied by the Greek Cypriot side. For this reason, hopes of a resolution to the Cyprus problem seem unlikely to take root at this stage… The public’s despondency is also evident from the turnout at yesterday’s event in Famagusta, titled “Let Famagusta Open Its Doors to the World, Let the Peace Process in Cyprus Begin Right Now.”
Of course, as momentum toward a solution increases, hopes will rise and there will be mass rallies, just as there were in 2002–2004. And yet, it seems that the Greek Cypriot side does not want such an atmosphere. To put it even more plainly, the Greek Cypriot side has no desire for a solution and has a policy of remaining at the negotiating table forever. How can negotiations be conducted with a side that has such a policy? That is the real question… In this situation, the Turkish side is already doing what needs to be done. It is consistently maintaining its position as the side pressing for a solution. But what will this achieve for us? Foreign Minister Özdil Nami answered this question while in Ankara. Nami made the Turkish side’s policy clear, saying, “Our agenda right now is to make every effort we can in good faith and ensure that these efforts are exhausted. Once they are exhausted, either there will be a federal solution and the matter will be settled, or the world will put an end to these negotiations, which have been going on for years, and make a new decision.” But will the world put an end to them and make a new decision?
At this point, we need to look at the U.S., the EU, Russia and China. I do not think Russia, China or the EU could make a decision that the Greek Cypriot side does not want. The promises made during the Annan Plan process and the decisions left pending in the UN Security Council speak for themselves… However, information that the U.S. is making serious efforts to resolve the problem has also reached me. Meanwhile, it would be absurd to think, “The U.S. should sort out its own problems,” because whatever happens in the U.S., its attention does not shift away from the world. If the process continues this way, will the Turkish side’s good-faith efforts and the power of the U.S. lead to a new decision? I suppose we will all see.