Washington holds the key to Cyprus

The discussions might be tough and there might be problems of approach, but one shouldn’t use this as an excuse to muzzle dissent in order to make people accept a certain point of view. There were answers to these claims in the statement issued from the President Palace after yesterday’s Cyprus summit: ‘During the process, preparations to help the Turkish side determine its stance have been brought to a higher level with close coordination of the relevant offices.’

First of all, this statement shows that Turkey has gotten seriously and rapidly prepared for negotiations on Cyprus. The high level of coordination at the state summit shows that there is also agreement: ‘It was agreed at the meeting that after the establishment of a new government in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), it would be beneficial to start initiatives to restart negotiations on the Cyprus issue.’ This statement shows that there is no clear expression about starting negotiations on the basis of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan. However, there is support for Annan’s goodwill mission.

Since last month’s TRNC elections, the Turkish Cypriots have waited for a clear signal from Turkey. This stance would facilitate their efforts to form a government. However, no clear sign has been forthcoming. The only culprit for this is a failure to coordinate, in other words, agreement at the summit. The main reason for Ankara’s indecisiveness is the possibility of getting a negative answer from the European Union [concerning Turkey’s EU bid] in spite of Ankara’s efforts on Cyprus. In addition, there is a political responsibility. Therefore, Ankara is waiting for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington later this month and what he hears there.

Turkey has been going through momentous days. We shouldn’t forget that the island is entering a new era [in May when Greek Cyprus, and ostensibly the whole island, is set to join the EU]. As long as there is no new arrangement which takes this situation into consideration, how will the rights of the TRNC and Turkey be protected? If the island is under European law, won’t this create more problems? Now it’s time to think about these problems without, of course, forgetting that time is running out.”