Spain ready to help UN solution effort in Cyprus

By Maria Myles

Spain has expressed readiness to help UN efforts to find a negotiated settlement in Cyprus either by itself or through European Union channels, stressing the importance of painstaking and patient negotiations to reach that goal.

In an interview with CNA in view of his visit today to Cyprus, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos also said that Madrid and Nicosia share common values on international issues, adding that both countries cooperate in the global attempt to combat international terrorism.

On trade between the EU and Cyprus’ Turkish-occupied areas, he said the current EU presidency, Germany, will soon present a proposal on the matter which he said should meet the legitimate interests of all parties concerned.

On Turkey’s accession course, the former EU envoy for the Middle East welcomed the pace of reforms in the country to meet its obligations and stressed that Ankara must meet the criteria set out in the Ankara Protocol, which relates to Cyprus and opening Turkish ports and airports to Cypriot air and sea traffic.

Responding to questions about bilateral relations following Cyprus’ accession to the EU in May 2004, Moratinos said “the two countries share the same worldview, and Cyprus’ accession has immensely eased economic and personal contacts and has greatly benefited the political relation.”

“Within the EU the two countries very frequently find themselves sharing the same interests, particularly issues such as the promotion of stability and prosperity of the Mediterranean area, illegal immigration, etc.,” he said, noting that this very close relationship between the two societies will become even closer in the future when Cyprus joins both the euro and the Schengen area.

Asked about Spain’s willingness to assist further, in a more practical manner, the effort to find a negotiated settlement in Cyprus, bearing in mind his former capacity as EU envoy for the Middle East, he said “my experience as EU envoy taught me the importance of painstaking and patient negotiations, the need to pay attention to details and, most importantly, how human and economic contacts can create much better dynamics.”

The Spanish Minister welcomed the the removal of the Ledra street wall as “a step of great symbolic importance” and expressed hope that it could lead to a better negotiation climate and eventually to end the physical division of Nicosia.

In a unilateral move, the government of Cyprus demolished in early March the wall dividing one of Nicosia’s main commercial streets, Ledra, in a bid to facilitate efforts to open a crossing points there, provided the Turkish military in the area stayed in their barracks to allow free and unhindered passage to Cypriots crossing.

“Spain pays close attention to the work of UN representative Mr. Gambari and stands ready to help him in his work, both on our own and also mobilizing EU’s resources,” he told CNA, and said he was “particularly proud of assisting financially the work of the Committee of Missing Persons working under the aegis of the UN. “

“I think they are doing a very good job that is very much appreciated by the families of the victims,” he said of the ongoing work of exhumation and identification of remains of missing Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

With regard to trade between the EU and the Turkish-occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, Moratinos recalled that EU countries agreed in January that negotiations on the Council regulation on the matter should resume without delay.

“I know that the German Presidency is working on a proposal to be presented soon and I am happy to learn that they are working very closely with the Cypriot Government. I am confident that the legitimate hopes and interests of all the parties will be adequately taken care of,” he remarked.

On Turkey’s European aspirations to join the EU and its current unwillingness to compromise for a Cyprus settlement, the FM
stressed the immense effect the enlargement process is having in speeding up the reforms in Turkey.

“In the past few years we have witnessed reforms at a pace undreamt of for decades. I hope that the recent presentation by the Turkish authorities of the reform package for the coming years is testimonial of their willingness to press on with reforms despite the electoral process that begins now,” he said.

Moratinos pointed out that the European Council conclusions underline that acceding countries must be ready and able to fully assume the obligations of Union membership and this, he said, means that “we are very encouraged by the progress Turkey is making.”

“The recent decision by the December GAERC meeting, while acknowledging the progress made by Turkey in approaching those criteria, sent a very strong message to the Turkish authorities on their need to meet those criteria by suspending negotiations on those eight chapters directly touching on Turkey’s non-compliance with the Ankara Protocol. Those conclusions also foresee that none of the other chapters will be officially closed either,” the minister added.

On measures to combat international terrorism, he referred to UN measures agreed at the UN September 2006 and stressed the need to continue to improve police capabilities, better international information exchange and judicial cooperation, as well as making sure we make it more difficult for terrorists to successfully carry out attacks by making it harder to access financing and by protecting vulnerable targets.

The promotion of democratic political systems, upholding the rule of law and attempts to solve prolonged conflicts which continue to provide arguments for the ideological supporters of terrorism are measures which could help combat international terrorism.

“It is only through the continued defence of strong democratic states, where the rule of law and the principles of human rights are respected that we can expect to be successful, not only in detaining today’s terrorists, but also in preventing new recruits from joining their ranks,” he concluded.