By Lefteris Adilinis
A series of consequences affecting both Cyprus sides have started emerging a week after the collapse of high-level peace talks at the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana.
The Cyprus Weekly understands that most evident is the termination of direct contacts between different representations from the European Commission and various bodies in the northern part of Cyprus, aiming to familiarise Turkish Cypriot legislation with EU law – the acquis communautaire.
Crans-Montana brought about the break-up of settlement negotiations. It appears that Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and Turkey are taking different paths in the effort to overcome the current impasse.
Greek Cypriots seek to continue talks on the federal model, whereas the other parties appear ready to pursue other arrangements.
Harmonising the north with EU law was one of the big projects the Commission had undertaken in order the bring various Turkish Cypriot authorities and bodies in line with legislation that is in force both in RoC as well as other member states. It was done with the approval of the Republic of Cyprus and only within the efforts to reunite the island.
The peace talks have stopped now and there is no clear prospect of them restarting soon. On the contrary, it appears that the crash at Crans-Montana affected not only the Conference on Cyprus, but also the Anastasiades – Akinci negotiating process. As a result, the north’s harmonisation project will also freeze as has happened on similar circumstances in the past.
Another consequence of the peace talks collapse could be a harsh decision by the Cyprus Republic to revoke rights granted to Turkish Cypriots in the framework of reunification.
The Cyprus Weekly understands that the government could discuss stopping the free treatment offered to Turkish Cypriot patients in RoC state hospitals. Also Turkish Cypriots could be asked to choose between keeping either a RoC or a “TRNC” passport.
There is no decision taken on the above, but observers point out that, if implemented, it would widen the gap and mistrust between the two communities.
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Managing impasse
Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and Turkey seem to be on different trajectories on managing the Cyprus problem after the Swiss crash.
In a press conference on Monday, RoC President Nicos Anastasiades made clear he will continue pursuing a federal settlement within the well-known UN parameters.
He also expressed readiness to restart talks so long as Turkey will accept the need to abolish guarantees and intervention rights, as well as withdrawing its troops from the island within a short timeline.
Anastasiades puzzled observers with his proposal, as nobody could see how Ankara would accept terms that she had rejected a few days back at Crans-Montana. They also say that such proposals will not help improve the image of Greek Cypriots which, along with those of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, were seriously affected by the handling of the Swiss Conference.
Commenting on the talks’ collapse, Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan has said he does not believe that a solution of the Cyprus problem can be found within the UN parameters, with a federal model that is. Erdogan and his Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who made similar comments, didn’t expand on how they plan to proceed.
Informed sources have told The Cyprus Weekly that Turkey could possibly opt for annexing the north. They added that this appears to be the preferred plan promoted by political heavyweights within Erdogan’s close circle.
We understand that annexation is not at all the preferred arrangement for Turkish Cypriots, especially politicians and people close to Mustafa Akinci. Observers have pointed out that some circles in the north would prefer starting a campaign for a “velvet divorce”, an agreed partition that would allow them to set up their own recognised state and also apply for closer relations with the European Union.