London, Thanasis Gavos

An article by Ersin Tatar requesting a new initiative for a “dialogue of cooperation” with his Greek Cypriot “counterpart” is published by the British newspaper Express.

The Turkish Cypriot leader, whom the newspaper identifies as “President of the TRNC”, refers to his desire for stability, cooperation and peaceful coexistence in Cyprus.

Since it refers to the imminent official appointment of a personal envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nationswrites that he believes his own efforts “will eventually help to create an environment of interdependence such as that which exists between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland”.

He continues by writing how he discussed his initiative with the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York last September and adds: “I wish to meet the Greek Cypriot leader in a tripartite framework – preferably with the participation of the Secretary General – to start this new dialogue”.

He notes that there are several areas in which both North and South could benefit from cooperation, such as hydrocarbons, electricity interconnection with the European Union grid through Turkey, efficient use of solar energy, resource management of the island’s fresh water, the demining of the land of Cyprus and the limitation of irregular immigration.

“I am also ready to consider any proposals of the Greek Cypriot leader based on the principles which are mutually beneficial to both sides, which respect the equality of both sides, without including or implying the extension of the power or jurisdiction of one side over of the other. These initiatives must also be shielded by wider political expediencies, as the UN Secretary General rightly put it in his recent reports,” Mr. Tatar’s article continues.

However, he then attributes an “immutable policy of obstruction” by the Greek Cypriot “administration” against the “TRDB”.

“With such a mindset it is not possible to create a much needed positive agenda for Cyprus. It is time for the international community, and in particular the new UK Foreign Secretary, to take notice. Britain has a role to play on my island not only as a guarantor power along with Greece and Turkey, but also as a friend. It should urge the Greek Cypriot leadership to play its part in creating an environment conducive to the good of the entire island and the region as a whole,” concludes Ersin Tatar’s article in the British Express.