Why Did We Say ‘Yes’ To The Annan Plan?

BY ZULFIKAR DOGAN
AKSAM- In the wake of the referendums earlier this year, we supposedly cornered the European Union and showed it that for years the Greek Cypriot administration had actually been the uncompromising side on the island. Did we really manage to do that?
We believed that the Turkish Cypriots’ future would be bright if we said ‘yes’ to the UN Cyprus plan and also that the Cyprus issue would no longer pose an obstacle to our EU membership bid. Furthermore, we expected that the inhumane embargos on the Turkish Cypriots would be lifted and that the EU would start forging economic ties with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). We also assumed that our friends and allies, the US and Britain, would initiate direct flights to the TRNC. Supposedly the TRNC would be allowed to export its products to world markets.
I could easily continue with this list of unfulfilled wishes. List of hopes… Let’s say a list of disappointments… When the Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan plan, all the Turkish side gained was some praise and appreciation, but nothing else. Then EU decision-makers vetoed a package containing such measures as starting free trade with the TRNC and lifting the embargo. In fact, I wouldn’t hold my breath for any positive EU moves towards the Turkish Cypriots.
The EU has already decided that the TRNC cannot be granted a third country status since it’s not an internationally recognized country. Therefore, the EU will continue its economic relations with the Greek Cypriots but turn a blind eye to Cyprus’ Turkish citizens. Didn’t Verheugen predict such developments before the referendums? Of course he did. But recall also his near-threatening statements on Turkey, the TRNC and Denktas. We’ve done our best, he would now say to us, but unfortunately the legal experts vetoed our package. Sources state that Greek, Greek Cypriot and Austrian circles launched effective lobbying to make the veto happen. I guess Turkey should also expect influential lobbying activities on its own membership bid.
But now here’s my question for you: Why and what exactly did we say ‘yes’ to on Cyprus?