Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said he is ready to veto the conclusions of the coming EU Summit in June if the positive agenda between EU and Turkey would not include Cyprus.
In an interview with Euronews, Anastasiades said the fact that Turkish illegal drillings in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone are currently suspended “is not enough,” recalling the Turkish plans to open Varosha, the fenced-off area of Famagusta occupied since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
He also highlighted a “new challenge” concerning the Turkish proposal of a two-state solution, noting that “in essence, what they are seeking is either the annexation of the northern part of the island or the creation of a puppet state which would be a province of Turkey and its independence would be determined by the degree of Turkish control.”
“A positive agenda is adopted when there is positive behaviour. When on the contrary, one challenge comes after another, you realise that it would be political suicide if, with my knowledge, I accept a positive agenda that would not include Cyprus. I have no choice.”
Asked if he is ready to veto the EU Summit conclusions, President Anastasiades said “definitely, yes.”
Responding to a question on the Geneva informal 5+1 meeting on Cyprus, President Anastasiades said the Greek Cypriot side did not table “anything beyond what is already in the context of the UN parameters,” presenting the issues agreed in the past negotiations, noting that the gap between the two sides was created by the Turkish proposals.
“The completely new position that we should proceed to a solution, not using the bi-zonal bi-communal federation with political equality as defined in the resolutions of the United Nations, but by using the solution of two states,” he went on, “that’s something that is unthinkable for the international community as it contradicts all UN resolutions without exception as far as the Cyprus issue is concerned. It also contradicts the position of the European Union.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.