By Christos Georgiou
Today's trilateral meeting in New York between UNSG António Guterres, President Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar does not appear to conceal anything that would differentiate the existing parameters regarding the Cyprus issue and the Secretary-General's effort to revitalise the dialogue.
This persistence in seeking ways forward is also evident from the fact that not withstanding the trilateral's outcome, the United Nations headquarters is planning yet another five-party conference before the end of the year. Whether this is proof that the UN Secretariat still has the endurance and time to waste in seeking ways forward, at least based on the initial, low-key plans for agreement on CBMs (Confidence Building Measures), will become apparent very soon.
Today's meeting can, in practical terms, be considered somewhat nebulous regarding what the Secretary-General could hear, given that no one is in a position to know who will represent the Turkish Cypriot side in the coming weeks. The electoral process in the occupied territories is in full swing, uncertainty about the outcome is a given, and therefore whatever discussions take place today will be more in the realm of theory rather than having a concrete framework and content.
In essence, the Turkish Cypriot side will obviously reiterate its narrative on a two state solution,, although it is not clear what Ersin Tatar will propose on the unresolved issue of checkpoints within the framework of the CBMs proposed by the Secretary-General.
The President of the Republic is expected to maintain his general approach to the Cyprus issue, while insisting on the so-called reciprocity in opening new checkpoints. The reciprocity policy clearly facilitates Ersin Tatar, who constantly attempts to play to the domestic front in view of the electoral process on October 19.
Tatar's Refrain
Nevertheless, shortly before his departure yesterday for the US, the Turkish Cypriot leader once again presented his positions on recognising two states in Cyprus. Based on what Turkish Cypriot media reported, Tatar argued that the federation model, "which had been tested for years but yielded no results after the events of the Annan Plan and the Crans-Montana talks, has finally ended."
He reiterated that the G/C side does not accept Turkish Cypriot sovereignty and whoever seeks agreement must accept the other side's sovereignty, adding that Greek Cypriots view Turks as a minority. He cited the Turkish President's demand to lift "embargos", as repeated at the UNGA for the past 4 years. Erdogan announced the two-state solution policy to the world.
"We will begin official and new negotiations with the acceptance of sovereign equality and equal international status," he continued.
At the same time, Tayyip Erdoğan was also conveying yesterday that in his assessment "the only solution left now is the two-state solution." In statements upon returning from New York, he reiterated that Ankara will not be dragged back into federation discussions. He also declared intentions on East Med energy resources. "We are taking," he said, "our share of these resources and cooperating with our neighbours on a mutually beneficial basis."