Land, property to be roughest issues in Cyprus talks

Talat told the Turkish Cypriot news agency (TAK) on Sunday overall atmosphere prevailing at bi-communal technical and working committees, that were making preparations for extensive talks in the island, was positive despite certain differences of opinion.

"There has never been so much chance for solution," he said but added the toughest issues during talks would be land and property.

"The toughest issue is property. It is a very complex problem. 30 to 40 years have passed, the properties changed owners many times. Besides both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are very sensitive about this issue. Therefore it is a tough issue," Talat was quoted as telling TAK by the Anatolian Agency.

Talat added he believed the positive atmosphere that came along with the election of Christofias as leader of the Greek Cypriot administration and enlivening of social relations, would be reflected on the talks.

Talat and Christofias decided to meet on May 23 to review progress in the preparations for the peace negotiations during their meeting at a cocktail party on Wednesday held to mark the new efforts to find a solution to the conflict which has divided the island for 34 years.

Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders also met in March to revive the reunification talks, which have been stalled since 2004, and agreed to start formal negotiations in July. Since then technical committees have been holding preparatory talks.

 

TURKISH FM BLAMES

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan told on Saturday Phileleftheros, a Greek Cypriot newspaper, it would be difficult to get a good result as long as one of the parties had an interest from deadlock, adding Turkey and Turkish Cypriots wanted solution of the problem, and showed their determination by adopting the Annan plan.Â

He said it was the Greek Cypriot administration who rejected the plan and no progress had been made in four years due to obstacles put forth by former Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, adding he was still optimistic about solution of Cyprus problem.

Turkish and Greek Cypriot peoples held a referendum on the Annan plan, a UN proposal to establish a United Cyprus Republic, in 2004. The Annan plan became null and void as the Greek Cypriots rejected the plan, although Turkish Cypriots accepted it.

The foreign minister said it had become more promising after Demetris Christofias was elected the Greek Cypriot leader, and reiterated that Turkey would support the settlement process as long as the two parties in the island declared their determination.

Babacan said the Greek Cypriots were member of the European Union (EU) and had the right to veto everything related with Turkey.

"The Greek Cypriots also occupy all of the seats allocated at the European Parliament for both parties in the island, and has the monopoly to represent the entire island in international world. Also they are using EU funds only for the south of the island," he was quoted as telling Phileleftheros by the Anatolian Agency.

Babacan said one of the fundamental principles of the United Nations (UN), also accepted by the Greek Cypriots, was the political equality of the two parties. "We are not sure that they are ready to share the EU management," he also said.

Babacan added there were not any difference of opinion between authorities in Turkey, and Turkey always had a single opinion on every matter.

Turkish troops deployed in the island was a part of the solution of Cyprus problem, and it was hard to make partial agreements or find partial settlements, Babacan also said.  "Therefore, we are talking about a comprehensive settlement," he added.

There are around 35,000 Turkish troops stationed in Cyprus, in addition to the Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Command (KTBK), made up of 4,500 Turkish Cypriots.

Photo : Reuters