Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis has described as a success for President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and the island as a whole, the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side has at last accepted the principles of a single identity, a single indivisible sovereignty and a single nationality.
In an interview with CNA on the occasion of President Christofias’ official visit to the Greek capital, Bakoyiannis repeated the support of the Greek government and political parties to President Christofias’ initiatives in finding an overall and agreed solution to the Cyprus issue within the framework of the UN Security Council decisions, as well as the EU principles and values.
Regarding the issue of guarantees, Bakoyiannis pointed out that Greece and Cyprus fully support the complete withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops and the abolition of guarantee and alliance pacts, which have proved “to be dangerous for the stability and security of Cyprus and are not suitable for an EU member state”.
“We clearly support the demilitarization of the island and the explicit barring of every right for military intervention”, Bakoyiannis added.
Asked if Turkey’s presence at the UN Security Council, even as a non-permanent member, could affect the ongoing Cyprus talks, the Greek FM pointed out that “the Cyprus issue remains an issue of invasion and occupation of an independent state, member of the UN”, underlining that “this choice does not allow room for arrogance”.
She expressed the hope that Turkey will make the proper judgment of the significance and parameters of choosing to become a non-permanent member of the Security Council and that its two-year term in office will be led by a feeling of responsibility. “We hope that Turkey will exhibit genuine political will for progress and not procrastination”, Bakoyiannis added.
She said the solution of the Cyprus problem remains a priority, primarily for the two communities, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, adding that a solution should be of “Cypriot origin”.
The Greek FM assured that “Greece will stand by Cypriots in this procedure” and that the two governments will continue to work closely and in harmony for a final solution that will benefit all the people of Cyprus.
Invited to comment on President Christofias’ support to the proposal of the Russian President for a new legally binding European security pact, Bakoyiannis pointed out that the recent developments in the Caucasus “toppled established beliefs surrounding the issue of security in the Eurasia area and brought to the limelight the need for a substantial dialogue that will develop a new security structure in the region that will take into consideration the changes in the European geopolitical map, the EU’s enlargement, NATO’s evolvement and Russia’s strategic role.
Furthermore, she underlined that the two fundamental players, the presidents of Russia and France, have argued in favour of such dialogue and pointed out that in the framework of the OSCE, the presidency of which goes to Greece from January 1st, there are relevant discussions and for this reason Greece has the intention to organize a High level meeting on the issue.
Asked what her view is on the progress of the UN-led direct talks between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Bakoyiannis replied that what is important is that “this new negotiating procedure began on an agreed basis. We consider it a success for President Christofias and Cyprus in general, that the Turkish Cypriot side has accepted, at last, the principle of single sovereignty, single identity and single international personality. We are still at the beginning of the procedure and only the issues of government are under discussion, while the issues of property, territory, economy, settlement and securities-guarantees are still pending”.
Despite the expected difficulties, Bakoyiannis said, “we fully agree with President Christofias that the talks must continue; without artificial deadlines, arbitration by third parties, until the aim to find an overall and agreed settlement is achieved, within the framework of Security Council decisions and the EU principles and values”.
The Greek government, she added, “supports and will continue to support the initiatives of President Christofias and I am pleased to say that these initiatives are backed by all Greek political parties”.
On the issue of guarantees, she outlined the Greek Foreign Ministry’s position, noting that even if the issue is not under discussion yet, “Greece and Cyprus support the full withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops, the banning of all guarantee and security pacts since they have proved to be dangerous for the stability and security of Cyprus. They do not fit an EU member state”.
Bakoyiannis said that it is very hard to imagine that EU citizens, who enjoy the fruits of security and welfare that derive from accession to the EU, “need the guarantees of third parties”.
“We clearly support the demilitarization of the island and the explicit barring of every form of military intervention”, Bakoyiannis said.
To a question whether the presence of Turkey in the Security Council would affect the Cyprus talks, even if it is a non-permanent member, Bakoyiannis said “I want to underline that the Cyprus issue was and remains an issue of invasion and occupation of an independent state, member of the UN. Turkey’s election for a two-year term as non-permanent member of the Security Council is a fact. There should not be any misinterpretations. This election does not leave room for arrogance or actions that aim solely to promote Turkey’s interest”.
The Greek FM said that “Greece, which recently completed its term at the Security Council, knows very well that election to the SC primarily means undertaking a huge responsibility towards the international community”.
“It means respect for international law, the decisions of the Security Council and the principles of the UN. I hope that Turkey will make a proper judgment of the significance and parameters of this election. That its participation in the SC for the next two years is led by a sense of responsibility. That finally, it will exhibit genuine political will for progress and no delays or setbacks in the Cyprus issue”, she added.
Cypriot President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat began last September direct negotiations with a view to reunify Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied one third of the island’s territory.
