Friday, 15 July 2011 By Gozde Citler
The Journal of Turkish Weekly conducted an exclusive interview with the Head of the USAK Science Committee Prof. Ihsan Bal regarding Ahmet Davutoglu’s, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the 61st government, remarks on the Cyprus issue. Davutoglu said “Our goal regarding the Cyprus issue is to have an agreement until the end of 2011 and a referendum at the beginning of 2012. Thus, the EU Presidency can be assumed by a state which represents both sides simultaneously.” In his assessment, Prof. Bal stated that Turkey has always been supportive of a solution about the Cyprus issue, however having the support of the European Union, the Greek Cypriots have left the efforts inconclusive. Prof. Bal underlined that Davutoglu’s remark was compulsory and necessary, as well as appropriately timed. Prof. Bal also pointed out that the European Union should seriously consider that Turkey has expressly stated her attitude towards this issue.
Ahmet Davutoglu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the 61st government, has visited the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in accordance with conventions. During the press conference, Davutoglu has expressed that their goal regarding the Cyprus issue is an agreement until the end of 2011 and a referendum in the island at the beginning of 2012. Thus, the EU Presidency in July 2012 can be assumed by a state which represents both sides. How do you assess these remarks?
The relations between Turkey and the European Union make progress in an unstable fashion in many ways, but the tension is highest when it comes to Cyprus. Turkey, from the start, has objected to the membership of Cyprus in the EU without its status fully determined. In Cyprus, Turkey made serious investments and efforts while fulfilling the requirements of both international law and international politics. One of the most important examples of this is Turkey’s support of the Annan Plan and its ratification by the Turkish Cypriots in the referendum. However, the Greek Cypriots have failed in showing the same maturity and virtue. One of the most important reasons for this is that the Greek Cypriots consider their future guaranteed with the comfort of European Union support and with Europe being by their side. If there was no risk of losing support whatsoever, you would not say ‘yes’ to such a thing, and you would not limit what you have with negotiations. Moreover, you would not even consider negotiating and it would not be recommended either. If you have such a broad spectrum of support, if you have such a power like the European Union behind you which would strengthen and expand your existing status, this would give you superfluous and non-legitimate power and courage.
The Greek Cypriots have always transformed this support into challenge and boldness against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. Turks who support the Annan Plan were nearly punished for it. There are few reasons that the Greek Cypriots have declined a text that was agreed upon internationally. The first one of these, the belief of the Greek Cypriots that they will not lose in any scenario; second, the thought that the European states will stay by their side whatever happens; and third, beyond all the support, the surreal and supernormal power they think they have. When all these come together, the Greek Cypriots do not meet reasonable standards during negotiations. The past six years since the referendum have taught Turkey important lessons.
These explicit and clear remarks of the Minister are compulsory and necessary. These remarks remind the European Union of their responsibilities in the framework of European Union law and acquis communautaire, and show how serious Turkey is. At the same time, they relay Turkey’s attitude that the Greek Cypriots should not assume more power for themselves than necessary, should not act boldly based on illusions, and that they should instead be courageous by showing positive attitude during the negotiations. These remarks were necessary and appropriately timed. What is anticipated in Turkey is having a total consensus. Everybody, from the governing party to the opposition parties and to the minister of the European Union, should be in full consensus on this issue. Turkey, acting as a catalyst, has shown an explicit and clear attitude and at the same time offered a solution to the issue. I think Europeans will take this into serious consideration. As much as the Europeans, their prodigal children, the Greek Cypriots, must also read these statements very carefully, explicitly and in detail.
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Friday, 15 July 2011
Gozde Citler (JTW)
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