Colak argues that we have a unique opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem
Illegal Bayrak television (28.08.15) broadcast statements made by Emine Colak, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime, to Anatolia news agency. Colak said that there has not been a negotiations process in Cyprus as intensive as the current one since the Annan Plan 11 years ago.
She noted that it was the first time that the leaders of the two communities were in such harmony and so many confidence building initiatives had been launched. “As a result we currently have a unique opportunity that we have not seen since the 2004 UN sponsored Annan Plan”, she argued.
Pointing out that there were a number of factors which made the current process so promising, Colak said that the leadership shown by both Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akύncύ and President Anastasiades since the resumption of the process was the most important of these factors.
She argued: “Both leaders are showing incredible leadership in the process. The UN Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide too has displayed an incredibly positive and constructive stance, winning the trust of both sides. People on both sides have been crossing over the divide since 2003 which may have also allowed the two communities to warm up to each other. The Greek Cypriots seem more supportive of a settlement today than they did back in 2004, which is also very encouraging. We hope that the Turkish Cypriots will continue to support the settlement process as they did back then”.
Explaining that there was progress in the talks but that it was too early to say anything, Colak said that the leaders were currently trying to establish principles and criteria for settling the property dispute. She added that discussions on chapters such as the guarantees and territory were more likely to be left to the end of the process because of their sensitive nature.
“The most important principle in the talks is that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed to”, she said.
Stating that the Greek Cypriot side was extremely concerned about the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees, Colak expressed the view that it was important to achieve a balanced formula which will address everyone’s concerns and needs.