FINANCIAL TIMES: “KOSOVO EXAMPLE COULD
BRING THE TWO SIDES IN CYPRUS TOGETHER”
British
Daily Financial Times evaluating the possibility
that Kosovo would unilaterally declare independence
following the presidential elections in Serbia,
reported that
the
consequences of such a move would spread far beyond
its Balkan borders.
The
Daily pointed out that ‘although the great majority
of Serbs remained strenuously opposed, Kosovo’s
independence will swiftly be recognized by the US,
followed by leading members of the European Union,
including the UK, France and Germany, thus it would
be a de facto recognition, not a de jure
one’.
“Of all
the EU members, however, the most hostile is the
republic of Cyprus. Speaking in Helsinki last week,
Erato Markoulli, the Greek Cypriot foreign minister,
said her country “cannot and will not recognize a
unilateral declaration of independence.
Ms
Markoulli denied the stance had anything to do with
northern Cyprus, the Turkish-ruled part of the
island whose independence has been recognized only
by Turkey. Yet that is clearly the most threatening
precedent. If Kosovo wins recognition from the US
and UK, how long will they refuse to do the same for
the self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus?”, said the Financial Times.
Stressing that many EU members now regretted
allowing Cyprus to join without resolving its
internal division, the article said ‘the Greek
Cypriots rejected Kofi Annan’s UN plan for
unification, after the Turkish Cypriots had voted
heavily in favor in 2004. Ever since, Cyprus has
used its membership to delay or disrupt every
attempt at opening links to the northern enclave.’
The
article also stated that ‘the example of Kosovo
could be the necessary shock for bringing the two
sides in Cyprus together’.
The
article referred to Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý’s statement
to the effect that ‘2008 could be the last chance
for a solution’, made recently during his visit to
London.
Reporting that Foreign Minister Avcý pointed to the
fact that the Turkish Cypriot people has been for a
long time told to wait for the presidential
elections in South Cyprus, the article referred to
Avcý’s words saying: “Leadership might change in the
Greek Cypriot side. I don’t believe this will lead
to big changes. In any case, whoever wins the
elections, we expect him to come to the negotiation
table.”
The
Financial Times touched upon Foreign Minister Avcý’s
complaint that Northern Cyprus is prevented to carry
out direct trade with other countries, direct
flights are prevented to and from Northern Cyprus
and that it was isolated from the world in many
fields including education and culture. The article
said Avcý warned that ‘If the Greek Cypriots
continued to be recognized as the sole power in the
island, a solution cannot be achieved’.
ARPALIK MARTYRS REMEMBERED
The 44th anniversary of the resistance
put up by the villagers of Arpalýk against the
Greek-Greek Cypriot onslaught, and martyrs who fell
during the resistance were remembered yesterday (6
February) at the martyrdom at the Tekke Bahce.
Following the homage in memory of 5 Turkish Cypriot
martyrs, the Chairman of the Society of Martyrs’
Families and Disabled War Veterans Ertan Ersan
delivered a speech. Ersan reminded that 5 Turkish
Cypriot freedom fighters died martyrs on 6 February
1964 during a resistance to defend the village
against Greek Cypriot attacks.
The ceremony ended with the laying of wreaths and
prayers.
