Neophytou warns of possible Turkish ‘tactics’ at Geneva talks

Turkey might, as a tactic, state at the Geneva Cyprus summit that it is willing to discuss a federal solution, Disy leader Averof Neophytou warned on Thursday, warning that an impasse would be to the detriment of the Greek Cypriots.

Speaking to state broadcaster CyBC radio, Neophytou said the purpose of the summit is for the UN secretary-general to see if there is common ground between the parties to negotiate a solution.

President Nicos Anastasiades will depart on Monday for Geneva where the informal five-party summit will take place between Tuesday and Thursday. Anastasiades, along with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and guarantors Greece, Turkey and the UK, will discuss the way forward.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will chair the summit and is to have bilateral meetings with the parties but also a tripartite meeting with the two leaders. He is to also hold meetings with all stakeholders.

Neophytou warned on Thursday that the future of Cypriot Hellenism would be at stake in Geneva, while an impasse would suit Turkey because it would continue to violate Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).”

He reiterated that another impasse would give Turkey the excuse “to advance in Varosha” over the summer.

He added that he did not agree with the position voiced by many on the Greek Cypriot side to create a sense of reassurance, that, it was important Turkey be blamed in case of an impasse due to its insistence on a two-state solution, which is outside the agreed solution framework.

“An impasse suits Turkey because it can proceed with its own plans, the annexation of the occupied areas, because it will never achieve a two-state solution, and the greying of the whole of the EEZ of Cyprus,” he said. He said that 60 per cent of beaches [coastline] are in the north and Turkey will claim this to allegedly ensure the Turkish Cypriots’ interests, while it will claim 30 per cent of the remaining 40 per cent as its own because it deems the southwest of the island’s EEZ as its own.

He also said one should not rule out that Turkey, to avoid being blamed for the impasse, as a swaying tactic, might state that if indeed the Greek Cypriots believe that the only solution model is the bizonal bicommunal federation, it agrees to continue discussing that.

Neophytou also stressed that it was important that the UNSG himself was convinced there was basis to start a dialogue which will be concluded within a foreseeable horizon.  “We cannot start a new, open-ended process,” he said, referring to reactions by parties on the Greek Cypriot side that state they do not want any timeframes.

Giving his assessment of the summit he said: “I would have liked an announcement that substantive talks will start but I believe it is very difficult. Most probably, a formula will be found for an announcement to keep the process alive.”

In the meantime, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar reiterated that he was going to Geneva to discuss a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.

Tatar said will have a meeting on Monday with the Turkish president before heading to Geneva. “With Turkey on our side, we will go to Geneva with peace of mind,” he said.

Anastasiades will preside over a National Council meeting on Friday morning where he is expected to brief the political leaders ahead of the summit. All party leaders, expect Elam’s, said they would accompany the president to Geneva.