Turkey's Gul Supports Annan Plan As Basis For Cyprus Settlement

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

26 June 2003

In an interview with Turkish television channel NTV recently, Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul indicated that he has no objections to the Annan plan being used as the basis for a negotiated settlement in Cyprus, provided appropriate changes are made to some of its terms.

"The important thing is not whether this is the Annan plan or any other plan. You can call it whatever you wish. The important thing is to reach an agreement on a satisfactory plan," the foreign minister stated, adding: "It is impossible to leave the United Nations totally out of the picture. As a matter of fact, we appreciate the UN's activities and efforts. The plan that emerged, however, was unsatisfactory. We clearly explained our views at the time. If acceptable amendments are made to this plan, then why not?"

Gul's statement contrasts with those of Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, who has steadfastly refused to countenance using the UN plan as a basis for a settlement, recently describing the settlement negotiated by the UN Secretary General as "dead and buried."

Therefore, the spotlight seems to be falling on Turkey, as attempts by EU and US mediators to kick start negotiations have faltered in the face of of Denktash's intransigence. However, whilst Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has expressed a willingness to act as a "peace envoy" in the Cyprus dispute, he has made it clear that Turkey does not want to tangle the issue with its claims to EU membership. To link the two would be "a double standard at the hands of the EU and Greece" Erdogan suggested, sarguing that the Greeks should also share some responsibilty for the Cyprus issue.

However, according to recent statements in the Turkish Cypriot press from EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, the European Union sees it rather differently. Talking to the newspaper 'Kibris' last weekend, Verheugen said: “I presume that our Turkish colleagues are aware that the situation on the island will serve as an obstacle for them in the event that it does not change.” The Commissioner also belives that the Annan plan represents the best hope of a Cypriot settlement. “This is the best proposal made to them until now,” he explained, adding: “There will not be a better one.”

With the May 2004 accession date bearing down fast, the EU is keen to get talks going again in September with a view to reaching an agreement by the following May.

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