Cyprus: a new chance for reconciliation?
The UN is currently looking into whether new talks on the reunification of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974, are currently feasible. In addition a conference is in planning at which the guarantor powers Turkey, Greece and Britain will also sit at the table. Cypriot media doubt that either side is willing or able to reconcile the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Ankara glad to take advantage of the opportunity
Turkey is pursuing a plan that has nothing to do with reconciliation and agreement, says Phileleftheros:
“The five-party conference was convened by the UN secretary general, and it seems that all the involved parties want it for various reasons. ... Can reconciliation and agreement be achieved as long as Ankara continues to promote and implement its expansionist policy? Can there be a serious discussion with Erdoğan's Turkey? ... It's clear that the Erdoğan regime wants the five-party conference to legitimise its illegal ambitions because it already knows that it can put 'any issue it wants' on the agenda.”
More tact, please!
The Greek Cypriot president must not now put on a one-man show, Haravgi warns:
“Unfortunately, at this critical moment in the Cyprus issue, where subtle, flexible tactics are required, President Anastasiadis did not feel the need to convene the Council of Leaders of the political parties to inform and listen to them. The Cyprus question is deadlocked. Consistency and credibility are needed, as well as serious and responsible action for the future, so that the next generations of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live in a reunited, shared federal homeland without foreign armies and interventions by third parties.”