Leaders lay out their positions for a solution

By Evie Andreou in Geneva

President Nicos Anastasiades confirmed on Wednesday that that the Greek Cypriot side’s proposals as submitted in Crans-Montana in 2017, are still on the table while Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar called for recognition of the north by the UN Security Council.

The two leaders, along with the foreign ministers of guarantors Greece, Turkey and UK, participated in the morning in a plenary session under UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the second day of the informal summit on Cyprus held in Geneva.

While Tatar proposed talks between two sovereign states on the island, Anastasiades, after a long overview of the convergences achieved so far in the Cyprus problem process confirmed that the Greek Cypriot side’s proposals as submitted in Crans-Montana in 2017, are still on the table.

Tatar, according to information, submitted a document with his positions, suggesting that Guterres takes an initiative so that the Security Council adopts a resolution in which the equal international status and sovereign equality of the two sides is secured. Such a resolution, he said, will form the new basis for the establishment of a cooperative relationship between the two states.

Once the two states’ equal international status and sovereign equality is secured, they will negotiate, under the auspices of the UNSG, on their future relationship and for an agreement on property, security and border adjustment, and relations with the EU, Tatar suggested.

He said that these negotiations will be supported by Turkey, Greece and the UK and when appropriate, the EU as an observer. He also suggested continuing the system of guarantees arguing that the two states will mutually recognise each other, and the three guarantors will support this.

Tatar also suggested that any agreement reached during these negotiations, will be submitted for approval in separate referenda in the two states.

According to sources, Anastasiades said in his own intervention at the plenary that he was not interested in engaging in a blame game but on focusing on the essence of the Cyprus problem.

He said it was important to reach an agreement that addresses the concerns of both communities through conditions of peaceful coexistence. He recalled that the sides had reached a historic compromise after the Turkish invasion on the evolvement of the internal structure of the Republic of Cyprus into a bizonal bicommunal federation.

He also said the majority of Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan Plan in 2004 due to the uncertainty they were feeling because their concerns were not addressed.

The president said that the status quo is not in anyone’s interest. He reiterated his position that he does not deny the right of the Turkish Cypriots to a positive vote as long as it is on issues that affect their community.

Anastasiades also said there are safeguards for both communities post-solution, through the ratification of the solution by the Security Council and the EU and the establishment of a council of emergencies and a friendship pact between Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.

He also said that all problems can be overcome through the convergences and the Guterres Framework. The president did not submit anything in writing.