Great Bluffing On Cyprus

Prof. Dr. Sedat LACINER

Cyprus question presents a role like a litmus paper in Turkey and EU relations. It is possible to see the future of these relations by looking at Cyprus... If our hypothesis is right, it is clear that Turkey would never be a member of the EU. It is because European countries nearly ignored Turkey and violated international law publicly on Cyprus issue.

Since 2003 Annan Plan, Turkey has always acted in the accordance with the principle of to be a cut above. She said “yes” most of the proposals of international community and tried to the best of her ability to achieve peace and a “united Cyprus”.

As it will be remembered during UN (Annan) Plan Referenda on April 2004, while Turkish community approved the plan with a majority of 65 % vote, Greek Cypriot community rejected and said “no” to the united Cyprus with a overwhelming majority of 76 %.

It is also known that, before the referenda the EU and the US had made such promises; “If Turks vote “yes” in the referenda, isolation will be lifted and Turkish Cypriot community will be rewarded”. However, it appears that the rewarded side has been Greek Cypriots rather than peace-demanding Turkish community. Greek Cypriots has been accepted as a full EU member as if they were the unique and legal representatives of the island.

As a result of this, number of Greek states within the EU has been raised to two and Cyprus question has been evolved into an EU question. The EU accepted the Cypriots in the union by numerous wangles by manipulating international law. For one, they have violated their own principle by accepting a country which experiences border problems. It is also disregarded that Cyprus Republic had been established as a Turkish-Greek Cypriot state. Thus, while northern part of the island has been regarded as an EU land, Turkish community on this land has not been regarded as EU member.

Moreover, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey has been put in an “invader” position. Furthermore, on behalf of the EU, Brussels has forced Turkey to recognize Greek Cypriot Administration, which Turkey does not recognize. As a result, while Christians of the island become a part of the EU, Muslims were left outside. In addition, not only Turkey is wanted to be left outside of the EU but also wanted to be punished via Cyprus issue.

Turkey has called the EU’s bluff

Today, Turkey clearly sees that; Cyprus issue is at the ultimate point of our patience. The sea is over... There is neither other concession to be given nor another place to go. The EU has to make its decision. On the one hand, they would follow a realist and cordial full membership negotiation process with Turkey. On the other hand, they would frankly outspeak their real feelings. In Mevlana’s words, they would rather be seen as they are or be as they already are. It is clear that, one of the most important they would show their policy change is the Cyprus issue. Turkey, with her last action, does not leave a space to manoeuvre to the EU.

Firstly, Davutoğlu made a harsh speech like an ultimatum as he was appointed as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By continuing his attitude Davutoğlu also pointed a possible referendum for unifying island. Those were followed by Prime Minister Erdoğan’s strong declarations as; “Greek Cypriots should not expect to be taken into account by Turkey as a party. We will never seat at the same table with them”.

Prime Minister also stated that they would not even recognize the EU Presidency of Greek Cypriots.

Road to Independency

Up to now Greek Cypriots were in comfort. All steps have been expected to be taken by Turkey. It was explicitly told to Turkey that “if you wish to continue full membership negotiations, you have to recognize Cyprus first”. Now, Turkey is counter-striking and calling the EU’s bluff in that sense.

If Turkey resists on her stand, this process would even pave the way for independency of TRNC. Besides it is also seen that, in the last ten years Turkey has been making preparations for this independence mainly by trying to solve water and electricity problems of the Northern part of the island.

More importantly, Turkish government has tried -and still trying- its best to solve an untouched problem of the island; the property question. Those policy actions would also bring Greek Cypriots, who has never give a signal of change, into line. As the possibility of separation gains power, Greek Cypriots would stand up from comfortable EU seat and come to the negotiation table. However, it can be said that it is still early to make such kind of predictions before seeing Brussels reply to Turkey’s policy actions.

21 July 2011, Thursday
Star daily

Translated from Turkish by Cigdem BILEZIKCI