Turkey’s New Cyprus Policy

The leaders discussed the UN plan for resolution [the Annan plan] and Turkey’s position in future negotiations.

The summit’s outcome was announced to the public via a written statement, according to which Turkey is resolved to play an active role in the negotiations process. ‘Turkey is continuing to support the UN secretary-general’s goodwill mission and affirms its political determination to reach a permanent solution through negotiations in line with the realities on the island,’ said the statement. In other words, the Turkish side is ready to sit down at the negotiating table to discuss the Annan plan. Ankara believes that a solution can be reached by negotiating over the plan, not by rejecting it.

We needed such a leaders’ summit since for a while now we’ve heard a cacophony of voices, which ended up confusing everybody on Ankara’s official stance. For example, we all know that the army is very wary about the issue due to the island’s strategic and military importance. The view of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) can be summarized as ‘one should negotiate the issue with the Greek side while avoiding any moves which could threaten Turkey’s national interests.’ The latest statement from the General Staff underlined this stance. Not only the soldiers, but also the government and the Foreign Ministry have different and sometimes contradictory opinions on Cyprus. Prime Minister Erdogan’s and Foreign Minister Gul’s respective statements sometimes contradict each other. In addition, certain circles want the negotiations to resume under the leadership of Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktas, but others want him to bow out of that role.

After the summit, the leaders of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) arrived in Ankara at Erdogan’s invitation. Their meeting focused on efforts to form a new government. This is a critical period for Cyprus. In May, the Greek Cypriots are set to join the European Union, which is why Ankara wants Lefkosa to form its government as soon as possible to fill the gap in the state administration. Turkey’s first choice is a broad-based government formed with the participation of all parties.

Denktas himself is set to pay a visit to Ankara on Sunday to discuss all these issues with Turkish officials. Turkey’s Cyprus policy is being re-shaped, with outlines as follows: ‘The Annan plan will be negotiated on. Denktas will remain as negotiator, but he won’t be on his own; a team will accompany him at the table. A representative from the government and certain bureaucrats from Ankara’s Foreign Ministry will also be there. From now on, Denktas will take his steps in line with Turkey’s new policy’.”