UPDATE - ‘Pointless to appoint UN special representative to Cyprus for now’

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER, TRNC PRESIDENT

By Sena Guler

ANKARA (AA) – Appointing a UN special representative to Cyprus would be pointless for now, as the envoy would have nothing to do, said Turkey’s foreign minister on Thursday.

“It only makes sense to appoint a special representative after seeing that there is common ground and a decision has been made to start new negotiations,” Mevlut Cavusoglu told a news conference following a meeting with Ersin Tatar, president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Cavusoglu’s remarks came in response to a proposal by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week in Geneva to appoint a special representative to the island.

Speaking in Lefkosa, the Turkish Cypriot capital, during a visit, Cavusoglu said that Jane Holl Lute, the UN Cyprus envoy, is already working to determine if there is common ground to start new negotiations.

On Guterres’ proposal for special envoy, Tatar said that before starting an official negotiation process, it would be meaningless to appoint a representative.

Appointment of a new envoy “could even cause problems,” he said.

The TRNC and Turkey – a guarantor country for the island – have said for there to be new talks towards a solution, the fruitless push for a federation must end, replaced by solution proposals based on equal sovereignty for both sides.

Referring to Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades’ remarks in Geneva, Cavusoglu said he has rejected the Turkish Cypriot people’s sovereign equality, a condition that is sine qua non for Turkey.

Anastasiades took an approach which tries to make the Turkish Cypriot people into a minority on the island rather than an equal community, he said, adding: “We also ignore this mentality that sees the Turkish Cypriot people as a minority.

“We no longer accept the Greek Cypriot side hiding behind UN Security Council resolutions whose shelf life have expired, and presenting a deadlock as a search for a solution. That time is over.”

Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long struggle between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, despite a series of diplomatic efforts by the UN to achieve a comprehensive settlement.

The island has been divided since 1964, when ethnic attacks forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their safety. In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aiming at Greece's annexation led to Turkey's military intervention as a guarantor power.

The TRNC was founded in 1983.

The Greek Cypriot administration, backed by Greece, became a member of the European Union in 2004, although in a referendum that year, most Greek Cypriots rejected a UN settlement plan envisaging a reunited Cyprus joining the bloc.

- Eastern Mediterranean

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s proposal for a regional conference on the Eastern Mediterranean is still on the table, Cavusoglu said, adding that the same goes for the proposals for a just sharing of income from underwater energy resources found in the region.

He reiterated Ankara’s support for the Turkish Cypriot people and said it will continue to defend the rights of both countries in the region.

Citing Turkey’s position as a guarantor country for Cyprus, Cavusoglu said it is the most natural right of Turkey to protect the rights of the TRNC.

He also urged the EU and UN to take steps for a just sharing of income, and added: “Otherwise, we have taken the necessary steps and will continue to do so.”

“Turkey continues our necessary activities in the areas where the TRNC gave (energy exploration) licenses, just as we have done so far. We will not compromise the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people or the TRNC.”

Turkey, which has the longest continental coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, has rejected the maritime boundary claims by Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, stressing that their excessive claims violate the sovereign rights of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.

Last year, Ankara sent out several drill ships to explore energy in the Eastern Mediterranean, asserting its rights in the region as well as those of the TRNC.

Following the press conference, Cavusoglu said on Twitter: “Discussed w/President @ersinrtatar of TRNC latest developments following 5+UN informal meeting,” referring

Turkey fully supports “the settlement vision to establish a cooperative relationship between the two States on the Island on the basis of sovereign equality,” he added.

The unofficial first 5+1 meeting – with both sides of the island, guarantor countries Turkey, Greece and the UK, and the UN – was held in Geneva on April 27-29.

-Turkey’s rights derive from history

For his part, Tatar said they place great importance on Turkey’s support, adding that Ankara has rights deriving from its position as a guarantor country as well as from history.

He said Cyprus’ main issue is sovereignty, decrying how the Greek Cypriot side act like they are the sole sovereign on the island.

“The time has come and is already passing for Greek Cypriots to act according to the realities of Cyprus,” Tatar said.