After crossings agreement, Anastasiades ready to meet Tatar on CBMs (Updated)

President Nicos Anastasiades expressed his readiness during a teleconference with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Thursday for a meeting to discuss the confidence-building measures (CBMs) he has proposed.

Anastasiades and Tatar, along with UN special representative Elizabeth Spehar, held a teleconference in the morning to discuss the resumption of crossings on Friday. The two sides’ negotiators also took part.

Both leaders and Spehar expressed their satisfaction with the agreement for the reopening of the crossing points.

“The president welcomed the reopening of the crossing points as before the coronavirus pandemic, and congratulated both the negotiators and the members of the bi-communal technical committee (on health) for their work and constructive contribution that led to the agreement. He also thanked Ms Spehar for her and the UN’s assistance,” government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos said.

According to Koushos, Tatar too, expressed his satisfaction with the reopening of the crossing points, while Spehar thanked the two leaders, the negotiators, and the members of the technical committee for their cooperation and the positive result they reached.

Later in the day, the EU Reform Support service welcomed the Cypriot leaders’ decision to reopen the crossing points “following much appreciated hard work by the technical committee on health to synchronise measures.”

The EU authority said this was a “crucial step for post-pandemic recovery, paving the way to Cyprus settlement as people start being together again!”

Koushos also said Anastasiades stated that he is ready to meet any time with the Turkish Cypriot leader to discuss both the CBMs he has proposed concerning the fenced city of Famagusta, the airport of Tympou and the Famagusta port, as well as the Cyprus problem in general and its settlement through negotiations.

The CBMs Anastasiades proposed during the informal summit on Cyprus last April in Geneva, concern Varosha being brought under UN administration to allow the return of  lawful owners and Tymbou airport being brought under the UN so that it could open to international destinations. As the north is not recognised by the international community, there are no direct flights to Tymbou airport, except from Turkey.

Anastasiades also suggested the operation of Famagusta port under EU regulations and the creation of an escrow account where the share of the proceeds from the exploitation of natural resources for the Turkish Cypriots will be deposited. The Turkish Cypriots will be able to withdraw money from this fund under the condition that Turkey will not question Cyprus’ EEZ because this affects both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

In Geneva, Tatar had submitted his proposal for the recognition of the north as a sovereign state which would negotiate relations with the Republic of Cyprus and refused to discuss the CBMs. He had argued that this issue could be discussed in Cyprus at any time.