The US believes that recent discussions on the resumption of UN-led Cyprus peace talks provide a “good foundation” towards a renewed effort, which must be very well prepared and must lead to a bizonal bicommunal federation within a reasonable period of time, the country’s Ambassador here John Koenig has said, adding that the potential value of the return of Varosha could change the dynamics of the Cyprus issue in a positive way.
On the role of Turkey in the Cyprus question, Koenig said Ankara pays a cost for the existence of the problem, as it impedes its European aspirations and continues to be on the UN Security Council agenda. “This is not a good thing”, he acknowledged.
In an interview with CNA, the Ambassador described the energy factor as “a new and dynamic” element in the region, which presents opportunities to all the countries in the region to work together and deal with each other in new ways that could help resolve political disputes.
On bilateral relations, he said cooperation with the Cyprus government has been incredibly helpful in fighting international crime, terrorism and drug trafficking, pointing out that “Cyprus, by virtue of its geographic position, is extremely important to us.”
Ambassador Koening said the government of President Anastasiades is more committed to closer cooperation with the US than any other Cypriot government before, making the Republic an even stronger partner.
On US moves to help resume the peace talks, he said Washington has discussed with interested parties very actively in recent months how and when the talks can begin in the autumn, noting that they must be “very well prepared.”
Asked about the result of all this talking, he explained that it has clarified certain things, including the awareness that a new effort must be productive and needs to lead to a comprehensive settlement within a reasonable period of time.
“That is itself a good foundation for the resumption of UN sponsored talks and it is shared by all the parties concerned,” he noted.
Questioned on specific moves to return Varosha (fenced off area of Turkish occupied Famagusta) to UN administration, he said the US understands the potential value of this important step in that it could change the dynamics of the Cyprus issue in a positive way.
“This is something under review and we think it deserves careful consideration by the sides. There is a logic to such steps to reignite a sense of optimism, of progress, a sense that a Cyprus solution would bring them very tangible benefits that relate to their lives, the logic that underpins an idea like the opening of Varosha can apply to other issues as well,” he explained.
With regard to Turkey’s role in this logic, Ambassador Koenig said it would be up to Ankara, perhaps at a later stage, closer to the time when negotiations resume to make its own views clear, just as the Turkish Cypriots need to do that.
Replying to another question on Turkey’s engagement in the Cyprus peace effort, he referred to recent developments in Turkey, saying Washington is following the situation and stressing that one must “take a long view with regard to Turkey and we should reserve judgment or hesitate to make broad assessment based on the assessment of the events of the past weeks.”
“I do not think the US accepts the logic that additional pressure is required to induce concessions from one party or another. What we see is appreciation of the value that a Cyprus settlement would have with the various parties and we believe the parties should focus on that positive value,” he added.
Asked to outline his position on the regional energy map, he said the undersea natural gas deposits should be a great boon for the region, describing it as “a new and dynamic factor.”
“This is a region that has been in many ways characterized by tension over the years, perhaps there are ways to creatively develop regional cooperation in the energy field in order to overcome some of these tensions and create a brighter future,”, he told CNA.
Asked if such cooperation could actually materialize without a political solution in Cyprus, he noted that Cyprus certainly has substantial quantity of gas, so does Israel and Turkey is a big market with great demand for gas.
“Much thought must be given to how all of the countries in the region – including Egypt and Lebanon – can work together to make the most of the opportunity presented by this natural wealth, that they open the way to new ways of dealing with each other that could contribute to the resolution of these political disputes,” he remarked.
Asked how the US can do more, with regard to the agreement on the protection of cultural heritage in the occupied areas, he explained that the agreement “applies across the island and has helped to address in a cooperative manner the inappropriate removal of cultural objects in a way that applies across the island.”
Assessing bilateral cooperation on fighting international crime, terrorism and drug trafficking, he recognised that it has been “incredibly helpful, we rely very much on the support and cooperation we receive from the Cypriot government, the police and others.”
“Cyprus by virtue of its geographic position is extremely important to us and cooperation makes it all the more important to us.”
In connection with incentives to attract more business and investment, he referred to the positive prospects in sight in relation to the energy sector and said efforts are underway to identify specific steps that would broaden the scope for more commercial activity, such as revising and updating the bilateral tax treaty and revising the investment treaty.
Commenting on changes since his arrival on the island, he noted the “very encouraging” reaction by Cypriots to the really difficult situation following the eurozone decisions.
“I am impressed by the very practical way they reacted, they picked themselves up, they are bouncing back, looking for ways to get through this crisis as fast as they can and move on, Cypriots have a lot of ingenuity, entrepreneurial abilities and they are rediscovering them,” he pointed out.
The Ambassador also referred to “a kind of renewal with the election of President Anastasiades, a government more committed to closer cooperation with the US than we have ever seen before and we look to this government and Cyprus as even stronger partner which is more committed to our common values than before.”
