Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman’s undersecretary, Mehmet Dana, criticised recent statements by President Nikos Christodoulides on the Cyprus problem and plans for French soldiers to be stationed on the island later this year. Dana described the moves as provocative and harmful to creating an atmosphere conducive to a solution.
Criticism of agreements and rhetoric
Dana told the north’s Tak news agency that making international agreements with third parties while ignoring the Turkish Cypriot side, which he described as one of the island’s two equal founding partners, is inconsistent with the island’s legal status and undermines efforts to build an atmosphere for a solution.
He said that making statements he described as provocative, which he said run contrary to the facts, and accusing Turkey, a guarantor power, of being an occupier also harms efforts to create a climate of trust on the island.
Objections to Christodoulides’ negotiating role
Dana criticised Christodoulides’ insistence that he participates in negotiations in a dual capacity, both as the leader of the Greek Cypriot community and as the internationally recognised state authority on issues including guarantees. He described these statements as detached from the facts and unfortunate.
Status of talks and UN framework
Dana said there is no ongoing negotiation process. He added that United Nations documents state that the UN secretary-general’s good offices mission to reach a solution on the island is between the two leaders.
He said statements made within the context of efforts under the good offices mission refer to the two community leaders, and that UN statements after meetings between the leaders pay close attention to this point.
Possible UN initiative from July
Dana commented on reports of a new initiative on the Cyprus problem by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, noting that Erhurman has said such an initiative will commence in July, while Christodoulides has said it is already underway.
Dana said it is well known, and has been expressed on numerous occasions, that Guterres intends to take a new initiative as of July depending on developments in the meantime. He added that Guterres expressed continued interest in the Cyprus issue and a desire to undertake a new initiative, provided both sides fulfil their respective obligations, during a meeting with Erhurman in New York in February.
How do you think statements by leaders affect the prospects for renewed talks on the Cyprus problem?
