High Commissioner’s remarks ‘unfortunate’
COMMENTS by British High Commissioner to South Nicosia Irfan Siddiq that a two-state solution in Cyprus is a “non-starter for any serious negotiations” have been branded as “unfortunate” by the TRNC Presidency.
Mr Siddiq, in an article provided only to the Greek Cypriot media, said he sees 2023 as a year when a “renewed effort on the settlement of the Cyprus problem is essential”.
Referring to Greek Cypriot leadership elections in the “Republic of Cyprus (RoC)” and presidential elections in Turkey this year, Mr Siddiq wrote: “Once the elections have passed, I hope there will be a new and serious push for a settlement.
“All of the leading Presidential candidates in the RoC have stated that they will make it a priority. This is very welcome. But of course there are two sides to this conflict.
“The current position of the self-declared ‘TRNC’ and of Turkey is for a two-state solution. This is clearly a non-starter for any serious negotiations. My sense is that there still remains some Turkish Cypriot openness to a federal model.
“But to bring the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey back to the table, there will need to be a serious set of incentives on offer.
“A clear message of renewed commitment to political equality and inclusion could provide this to Turkish Cypriots. Cooperation on hydrocarbons, a better relationship with Europe and the EU and the economic and security benefits that flow from a peace deal for all, could offer the incentives to Turkey.
“A new President of the Republic of Cyprus should be bold and make these offers clearly and confidently. A failure to do this carries significant risks.
“The more time that passes without a deal, the more difficult it becomes to reach an agreement as the social, economic and political divisions on the island become deeper and more cemented.
“The international community will of course have an important role to play in any process and I am confident it would do what is needed to stimulate and support a settlement.”
Asked by Cyprus Today to comment on Mr Siddiq’s article, President Ersin Tatar’s office provided the following exclusive statement: “The Turkish Cypriot
People endorsed and embraced the new realistic Turkish Cypriot vision by electing Mr Ersin Tatar as their fifth President, which is an expression of their democratic will for a negotiated settlement that needs to be based on the inherent genuine equality of the two Sides.
“Bearing in mind that neither Side in Cyprus can exercise sovereignty or have a higher position/status over the other, President Tatar’s vision foresees a structured cooperative relationship between the two existing States on the island that is based on their sovereign equality and equal international status. This is an indispensable requirement of their inherent equality.
“The establishment of parity between the two equal Sides is clearly the only way to break the deadlock and create an environment conducive for peace, stability and cooperation on the island and beyond.
“Irrespective of these facts and the repeated rejection of the Greek Cypriot Side to share power and prosperity, a clear reflection of their obsession that the island of Cyprus is an inseparable part of Hellenism, insisting on the failed and exhausted federal settlement model that is impliedly based on the sole legitimacy of the illegitimate Greek Cypriot polity, can only serve the maintenance of the status quo and non-settlement in Cyprus.
“Everyone agrees that this status quo is unsustainable and is now causing huge damage to the interests of both Sides and their allies.
“Sustainable settlement in Cyprus requires foresight and departure from the failed policies of the past, not only by the two Sides but also by third parties, particularly guarantor United Kingdom.
“President Tatar’s new realistic vision is a demonstration of both foresight and the long-standing struggle of the Turkish Cypriot People for existence and the reaffirmation of their inherent rights.
“The Turkish Cypriot People are entitled to enjoy equal rights, equal status and equal opportunities, which are inseparable components of their inherent equality.
“President Tatar is fully committed to his vision, and he will not back down until the Turkish Cypriot People are able to enjoy their inherent sovereign equality and their equal international status.
“The six cooperation proposals of President Ersin Tatar to the Greek Cypriot Side of July 2022 are aimed at
addressing pressing issues faced by the two Sides, as well as creating the necessary conditions for an equality and cooperation based settlement process. Sadly no official response has yet been received regarding these constructive cooperation proposals.
“Our State, the TRNC, is a reflection of our inherent equality and our equal status, and the unfortunate remarks of a British diplomat will not affect our inherent rights and our justified national journey.”