President Nicos Anastasiades argues that decentralized powers in a Cyprus settlement create a feeling of security for Turkish Cypriots, put an end to Turkey’s intervention rights and address concerns of Greek Cypriots over functionality of the state.
“Forty-four years after the invasion and after endless rounds of unproductive negotiations, the least we can do is to think about how to lift the stalemate and how to reach a solution that will address the reasonable concerns of both communities,” Anastasiades said.
He outlined his argument for a decentralised federation during a televised press conference on Tuesday night.
The President clarified that as a responsible leader, he cannot disregard the dangers of a protracted stalemate and he will not accept a solution that will result with a dysfunctional state.
He said that decentralised authority was not the same thing as a loose federation.
Since 1977 Cyprus talks have been based on seeking a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
But Anastasiades’ six predecessors have all failed to get even close to agreeing a solution based on these principles.
The closest Cypriots came was at a referendum in April 2004 on the UN-backed Annan Plan, but Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected it with 75.8% voting against, while Turkish Cypriots accepted it, with 64.9% in favour.
During the recent negotiations, Anastasiades said, there was progress on some issues, but also great differences remained that did not allow achieving a solution that would lead to a functional, viable and fully independent and sovereign state.
President Anastasiades said that during the recent negotiations, for the first time maps were tabled outlining territorial adjustments while Turkey for the first time, was directly involved in dialogue and negotiations on the Security chapter.
He further explained that from his experience at the negotiations he realised "the Turkish Cypriot community has a strong concern that the Greek Cypriot community, as the majority community, will abuse power with the danger of Turkish Cypriots being sidelined”.
To address these concerns, Turkish Cypriots want the right to a positive vote in every decision of the Central State institutions, he said, whether this concerns the Cabinet or other institutions.
At the same time, Greek Cypriots have reasonable concerns that such a right granted to the Turkish Cypriots will create a non-functional state and insecurity for the future, something that will be further exacerbated by the continued presence of the system of guarantees and the permanent presence of the Turkish occupation forces.
Anastasiades said that in order to eliminate the fears of both communities, but also to achieve a workable and viable solution, he “submitted to the National Council as food for thought the issue of decentralisation”.
Decentralisation of those powers that concern the day-to-day lives of citizens.
It would not question the single sovereignty, international identity of the state, the unity of the people, economy, natural wealth and territory, defence and security as well as manning the borders of the federal state and the exclusive and effective participation of the federal state to the EU, UN and other international organisations.
Anastasiades said his proposal is “food for thought aimed at lifting the concerns of both communities and to create conditions to restart a creative dialogue that will lead us to finding a solution and not to a catastrophic deadlock…”
“As a responsible leader, I cannot disregard the dangers of the protracted stalemate and at the same time, that is why I cannot remain inert and accept a solution that will lead us to a non-functional state,” he added.
Cyprus talks remain in limbo since they collapsed at a Swiss peace summit in July 2017.
