Date set for Cyprus peace negotiations to resume: UN

[bsruzm]

We actually considered war with Turkey in 1974 but the US warned us off.

I don't know If a misunderstanding happend but I didn't mean that UK can not guarantee, UK does guarantee but it's definitely not Cyprus but wider interests.
Then in that case or in a 'possible' repeated scenario, perhaps you should try harder.

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''Turkey and Greece agree new security measures in Aegean Sea

The newly appointed Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu held a joint press conference on Tuesday in Ankara emphasizing the significance of a resolution on Cyprus. Çavuşoğlu underlined that Turkey's main aim is to build stronger relations between the two nations. In this regard, Kotzias also said that cooperation between Greece and Mediterranean countries is at the top of his agenda during his term.

Kotzias paid an official visit to Turkey as part of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting that will take place on May 13-14 in Antalya. In addition to the NATO meeting, a series of other sessions will also take place with ministers of foreign affairs from member countries. Emphasizing enhancing bilateral ties between Turkey and Greece, both Kotzias and Çavuşoğlu underlined the necessity of resolving the Cyprus issue. Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey and Greece have a common will to resolve the ongoing dispute on the island.

"We [Turkey] are greatly pleased with the re-launching of the stalled peace talks on Cyprus. As Turkey and Greece, we are determined to encourage peace on the island of Cyprus and between the two leaders," he said, adding: "Within the basis of the joint declaration, Turkey is as committed as ever to the continuation of negotiations and achieving a permanent resolution on Cyprus."

"Permanent peace and resolution will be achieved this year if Greece and Greek Cypriots also display the same determination toward resolution. Turkey and Greece will continue to take confidence-building steps," he said.

Commenting on the Cyprus issue and conflicts regarding the Aegean region, Kotzias said that Greece aims to "eliminate the hesitations toward the region," and reiterated that the resumption of the U.N.-brokered peace talks present a "window of opportunity" to reunify the divided island of Cyprus. Underlining the importance of securing and providing the rights of all residents of the island, Kotzias said that Cyprus must become an independent country (without the need of any guarantor country.)

Regarding the conflicts in the Aegean region, Kotzias said, "We are aiming to resolve the conflicts and aim to lower the tensions in the region.'' (Daily Sabah)

 

[TheGrim]

Not only did they illegally annex 12 islands that belong to us but they also dare talk about bringing peace and stability to the Agean and Cyprus? I knew that drug consumption was a rising problem in Athens but I could have never guessed it had reached the officials of government.

 

[IR-TR]

Isn't there oil to be found somewhere around Cyrpiot waters? If not, Turkey should cut them loose. Honestly, there isn't much else to gain from keeping the North seperated. If the Cypriots can come up with a formula that will allow Turkish Cypriots to not become oppressed, this is good for everbody. It's quite poor in the North, and Turkey shouldn't waste untold billions of dollars on propping it up. The (Northern) Cypriots just aren't a very hard working or productive bunch. Tourism is their only saviour, and the North should be opened up to it (rest of world tourists, not just mainland Turks). Reunification could even lead to a broader friendship between Turkey and Greece. Let's be honest, the Greeks are becoming more and more cognisant of the fact that this isn't a duel between equals. Finally, the reunification would remove a major stumbling block for EU entry.

 

[TheGrim]

Isn't there oil to be found somewhere around Cyrpiot waters? If not, Turkey should cut them loose. Honestly, there isn't much else to gain from keeping the North seperated. If the Cypriots can come up with a formula that will allow Turkish Cypriots to not become oppressed, this is good for everbody. It's quite poor in the North, and Turkey shouldn't waste untold billions of dollars on propping it up. The (Northern) Cypriots just aren't a very hard working or productive bunch. Tourism is their only saviour, and the North should be opened up to it (rest of world tourists, not just mainland Turks). Reunification could even lead to a broader friendship between Turkey and Greece. Let's be honest, the Greeks are becoming more and more cognisant of the fact that this isn't a duel between equals. Finally, the reunification would remove a major stumbling block for EU entry.

Turkey should consider a friendship with Greece once it returns the 12 islands they stole. If we get those islands back in return for cutting loose those ungrateful people in Northern Cyprus, so be it.

 

[IR-TR]

Turkey should consider a friendship with Greece once it returns the 12 islands they stole. If we get those islands back in return for cutting loose those ungrateful people in Northern Cyprus, so be it.

Sure. I mean Greece has enough islands. But what do you want North Cyprus to do? Economic investments from the EU PLUS Turkey or just whatever Turkey has to spare? I think the choice is simple. We shouldn't hate the north for that. It's basic economics 101. And they won't suddenly become pro Greek or anything. The people remain the people. The political system will only change. I don't even believe in hostilities between Greece and Turkey. This isn't the 1800s anymore. Sure, Turkey should never let it's guard down, but we should wish to trade trade trade. Every lira or euro is another stomach fed.

 

[egolfs]

@egolfs

Mate, you are from Cyprus, right ? What is your opinion in this whole situation ?

Any re-unification of the island would strengthen, or at the very least, legitimise Turkish influence - which amounts to the same thing! The reason I say that reunification will benefit Turkey, is simply because it would not be possible to reach any agreement that would jeopardise Turkey's influence - in other words, any agreement can only come about if it is beneficial to Turkey.

People that say Turkey should just forget about Cyprus because the people are ungrateful or that Turkey's policies in Cyprus are uneconomic to maintain, have missed the point completely. Cyprus' importance to Turkey is not just fraternal, it is also strategic. It is no accident that Turkey started its Peace Operation in the north of the island - even though the great majority of Turkish Cypriots lived in the south. If Turkey was to lose its influence over Cyprus, as it did with Crete, she would find herself blockaded from the Aegean and the Mediterranean - this is something to be avoided like the plague. Turkey would find herself facing yet another unfriendly neighbour and would also leave its "soft under- belly" exposed and open to attack. Turkey's ambitions of being a naval power would be severely curtailed. Despite Turkey's incredible advances in Naval Programs, what good would all those new ships be, if they were to be denied access to the Mediterranean?

Please remember that Turkey's ambition to be economically independent and militarily self-sufficient is directly due to Cyprus. It was Turkey's experiences of being threatened and embargoed before, during and after the Cyprus Peace Operation, that awoke Turkey to the realities that existed in the world. If Turkey had not intervened, she would have continued to become more and more dependent on her so-called allies (Allah korusun). Many , if not all, of these on-going military programs that we see today, owe their existence to Cyprus.

For my friends/brothers in this forum that say "the Turkish Cypriots are not worth the trouble" - Please know that every Turkish Cypriot is thankful for the intervention by Turkey and we will never forget the sacrifices suffered by Turkey and her sons (soldiers).


If disagreements exist, between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, they stem from problematic economic and political policies that have been imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. I think every Turk in this forum is aware that Turkey has suffered a lot of ups and downs in their political leadership since the 1960s.

 

[revojam]

People that say Turkey should just forget about Cyprus because the people are ungrateful or that Turkey's policies in Cyprus are uneconomic to maintain, have missed the point completely. Cyprus' importance to Turkey is not just fraternal, it is also strategic. It is no accident that Turkey started its Peace Operation in the north of the island - even though the great majority of Turkish Cypriots lived in the south. If Turkey was to lose its influence over Cyprus, as it did with Crete, she would find herself blockaded from the Aegean and the Mediterranean - this is something to be avoided like the plague. Turkey would find herself facing yet another unfriendly neighbour and would also leave its "soft under- belly" exposed and open to attack. Turkey's ambitions of being a naval power would be severely curtailed. Despite Turkey's incredible advances in Naval Programs, what good would all those new ships be, if they were to be denied access to the Mediterranean?

Agreed.

Any re-unification of the island would strengthen, or at the very least, legitimise Turkish influence - which amounts to the same thing! The reason I say that reunification will benefit Turkey, is simply because it would not be possible to reach any agreement that would jeopardise Turkey's influence - in other words, any agreement can only come about if it is beneficial to Turkey.

Disagreed , see below for why.

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Unity of Cyprus would certainly weaken Turkish influence without a doubt.Why? Simple because currently Turkish Cypriots number some 300.000+ on other hand Greek Cypriots numbers at least double amount.If Cyprus gets united Turks will be minority and island will be ruled by democracy.As we all know(at least i hope) democracy is nothing more than "rule of majority" therefore power of Turkish Cypriots will be same as Turks in Greece , nothing more! Essantially whole Cyprus will under Greek control.Right now at least we have north even if its not recognized.

 

[egolfs]

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@revojam
revojam said ----- (Quote) "Unity of Cyprus would certainly weaken Turkish influence without a doubt.Why? Simple because currently Turkish Cypriots number some 300.000+ on other hand Greek Cypriots numbers at least double amount.If Cyprus gets united Turks will be minority and island will be ruled by democracy.As we all know(at least i hope) democracy is nothing more than "rule of majority" therefore power of Turkish Cypriots will be same as Turks in Greece , nothing more! Essantially whole Cyprus will under Greek control.Right now at least we have north even if its not recognized." ----- [/QUOTE]

Turkish Cypriots will always be the representatives of Turkey in Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots are not a mere minority in Cyprus - that is just like the propaganda the Greeks make. Even under the 1960 constitution, the Turkish Cypriots were equal founding partners of the Republic of Cyprus with full veto powers. Of course, we all witnessed how the Greeks usurped (took over) the power and the State - now, do you really think that the Turkish Cypriots would really accept a situation that would allow a repetition of the past? It would make sense that they should secure their position even more within any future partnership. As such, Turkish interests will be preserved.

 

[revojam]

Turkish Cypriots will always be the representatives of Turkey in Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots are not a mere minority in Cyprus - that is just like the propaganda the Greeks make. Even under the 1960 constitution, the Turkish Cypriots were equal founding partners of the Republic of Cyprus with full veto powers. Of course, we all witnessed how the Greeks usurped (took over) the power and the State - now, do you really think that the Turkish Cypriots would really accept a situation that would allow a repetition of the past? It would make sense that they should secure their position even more within any future partnership. As such, Turkish interests will be preserved.

Yes they will because money makes masses blind Turkish Cypriots are the same Cypriots who voted YES to Annan Plan back at 2005.Thank god stupid Greeks voted no and stopped unification of island.Only thing current Turkish Cypriot generation care about is getting EU citizenship so their allowance get increased and get free travel right within EU.They would be more than happy to became minority under Greek rule if its gonna mean becoming EU citizen.Not that Turks in mainland are different same mentality(who cares only money) keeps AKP at power despise the countless divisions and foreing policy failures created by Tayyip Erdoğan in last decade.Same mentality was completly fine with selling Northern Cyprus to Greeks so Turkey's chance to get into EU would increase and this mentality also exist at island among Turkish Cypriots.

 

[T-123456]

Reunification will bring us nothing but trouble in the future.
The North should be either independent from the South or be annexed by Turkiye.
The stakes are to high for us,without the KKTC we dont have any controll over the Mediterranean which means that other countries could have bases on Cyprus and ''choke'' our navy.
Most of our new naval ships would be worthless(LPD,TF-2000,TF-100/200,214TN).
We should never opt for reunification.

 

[egolfs]

Yes they will because money makes masses blind Turkish Cypriots are the same Cypriots who voted YES to Annan Plan back at 2005.Thank god stupid Greeks voted no and stopped unification of island.Only thing current Turkish Cypriot generation care about is getting EU citizenship so their allowance get increased and get free travel right within EU.They would be more than happy to became minority under Greek rule if its gonna mean becoming EU citizen.Not that Turks in mainland are different same mentality(who cares only money) keeps AKP at power despise the countless divisions and foreing policy failures created by Tayyip Erdoğan in last decade.Same mentality was completly fine with selling Northern Cyprus to Greeks so Turkey's chance to get into EU would increase and this mentality also exist at island among Turkish Cypriots.

No disrespect to you but I hope you are wrong. You are correct to say that the Turkish Cypriots voted "yes" to the Annan Plan, while not ideal, there were several reasons why the Turkish Cypriots voted yes, some include;
- under this plan they would still administer control over their own areas,
- the number of Greek Cypriots that would be allowed to move to the Turkish component State would be strictly limited,
- they were promised that Turkey's guarantee rights would not be diluted ( they could legally intervene ),
- we were being encouraged by our leaders (not Denktas though) and the leaders from Turkey to vote Yes
- we were told that it was our duty to vote yes because we were a continuing burden to Turkey and we were responsible for holding her back,
- Turkey would not be held accountable for the intervention (invasion - as they put it!) in 1974,

PLEASE REMEMBER
- many of those that voted in 2004 were Turkish settlers from Turkey (in fact in the last election - Mustafa Akinci was elected President only last month in North Cyprus, the majority of eligible voters were made up from settlers from Turkey) (original Turkish Cypriot voters are now a minority in Northern Cyprus)
- it was not that long a ago that some people in Turkey, including Tansu Ciller, were ready to sell us out to achieve a customs union with the EU - (some of us thought it was just a matter of time, so we should get the best deal we can)
- to be honest, the Turkish Cypriots have no choice but to follow the directions given to us from the "Motherland"- (Anavatan).

 

[TheGrim]

Let the Cypriots decide their fate. Turkey isn't a country that would allow its interests in the Eastern Med be complicated by this. Anyone who tries to blindside us will be put through 1974 again. It's a simple calculation.