UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide believes that the fact that both sides have embraced the importance of making this a genuinely European solution is one of the very significant achievements in this round of Cyprus reunification talks.
Replying to questions after a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in Turkish occupied Nicosia, he said next week’s visit to Cyprus by European Parliament President Martin Schultz is a “very good sign,” adding that EU institutions are showing significant interest and massive support to the negotiating process.
“The prospect of a possible settlement in Cyprus is very – very important to Brussels and to Europe,” he stressed.
According to Eide he is “constantly asked by my counterparts in Brussels as to what they can do to help.”
As you know, he noted, “there is a significant involvement of EU institutions, the Commission, the European Central Bank helping the sides in preparing for the European nature of the settlement that we are seeking here.”
“I think that one of the very significant achievements in this round of talks is that both sides have embraced and strongly underlined the importance of making this a genuinely European solution”, he stressed.
He pointed out that such a solution “is good for both sides; it is good for Turkish Cypriots and it is good for Greek Cypriots because there are many aspects to the European set of principles and values and acquis including many that protect that group which is not a majority.” So this is good news, he added.
Referring to Schultz`s visit to the island, he said “we will all meet with Schultz and make sure that he has a good picture of the real state of affairs and where we are in the talks, the progress made and also all the remaining issues.”
He described the European official “a committed supporter to the Cyprus process” and expressed his conviction that while on the island he will make sure he expresses in a practical, hands on way, concrete support from Europe.
In his introductory statement after his meeting with Akinci, Eide said that it was very constructive and recalled that “we are planning the leaders` meeting which will be held on Monday morning.”
“We are now in a very crucial phase where we are predominantly working on looking into some of the understandings that have evolved over these many months and trying to convert the understandings into clear language,” he said.
Because, as he explained, “there may be political agreement achieved between the leaders under which we don`t have all the details and some times, the crux lies in the details. So that is very much the work we are doing now.”
Eide also said “the process is moving forward as it should”. He also said that “the political cycle of the Greek Cypriot side is not intervening in a negative sense.”
“I think many people have asked that question and my sense is that both leaders are committed to continuing to talk through and beyond that period and we have a long agenda of issues to discuss when we meet on Monday morning”, he added.
On his part Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said that his meeting with Eide focused on energy matters, the Cyprus talks and how to move forward, and difficulties in the process underway for the traditional Cypriot cheese halloumi to receive Protected Designation of Origin status.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed talks resumed in May 2015 aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.