BY MURAT YETKIN
RADIKAL- Are the recent media reports arguing that a new Cyprus plan is being prepared, and that it will be discussed by Prime Minister Erdogan and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan during the World Economy Summit in Davos? The question is important because such reports cause new expectations, increasing the tension in the international platform.
Erdogan will be in Davos on Jan. 27-28. Annan will probably be in Poland on Jan. 27 to attend the ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of the closing down of the Auschwitz. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is to represent Turkey at this ceremony. Annan is then expected to travel to the southern Asia countries hit by quake and tsunamis.
Erdogan will hold a meeting on Cyprus in Davos with next EU term president Britain’s Premier Tony Blair. They are expected to discuss the protocol which will expand the Customs Union between Turkey and the EU to cover the Greek Cyprus Republic, and measures to be taken to end the economic isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
It might be asked whether a new Cyprus plan will be discussed with Britain but the answer is probably no. Because there is neither such a plan nor a draft plan. Although the EU and the US are appreciating Turkey’s initiatives on the issue, there is no specific plan looming. There are just ideas, that’s all.
Efforts for permanent resolution on the island are regarded as independent from Turkey’s EU membership bid and discussed on a long-term basis. As a matter of fact, there are a number of obstacles against the efforts of resolution in the short term. For example, general elections will be held in the TRNC on Jan. 20, and the Presidential elections on April 17, and Britain will also hold general elections in May. All of these developments will probably pressure on peace efforts.
The report prepared by Annan and submitted to the approval of the UN Security Council has yet to be voted as Russia obstructed the voting process. However, during Erdogan’s recent visit to Moscow, Russian President Putin said that he phoned Annan to tell that Russia will not impede any efforts on Cyprus. Is this phone call going to change everything? Not quite clear. Because Annan is concerned that no new initiative or plan could ever be successful without ensuring the approval and support of Greek Cypriot President Papadopulos. His cooperation is a must for each and every Cyprus plan to be successful. Therefore, Turkey should first take a number of international steps to put pressure on him, leaving him no other choice than cooperating. First steps might be the ones which will loosen the economic isolation over the TRNC.