ANKARA, March 14 (A.A) - Commenting on the ongoing talks between the two sides in Cyprus, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said the talks would end up in failure if the two sides cannot agree on a common vision. He added that there's still time to reach an agreement.
In an interview with International Herald Tribune, Cem said ''In order to move forward in the actual process of dialogue, I believe that an effort by the two leaders to reach a 'common vision' for the future of Cyprus and to define 'the end-result' they want to achieve is the essential first step, the precondition for progress. Unless there's a common vision and an agreement on the end-result, the process would most probably be unsuccessful. On the contrary, if there's a common vision and a common understanding on the end-result, conditional on the overall agreement regarding all pending issues, then, to address difficult and intrictae matters would be facilitated. Once the concrete goal is in perspective, agreeing on parts would be encouraged.''
Cem said that Turkish and Greek Cypriots should not take more of each others' time if they are not able to create a common vision for a common future. ''I believe they are, it's still not too late,'' he commented.
''The path which might lead to a settlement and which would save everybody -Turkey, Greece, EU, Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots -from trouble, seems to be the following: a)To agree on the merger of the basic stances of both parties, i.e., e new partnership State, representing both nations of Cyprus on matters it is empowered through an agreement by the two constituent States. b)To agree on the powers and functions to be given to the partnership State. c)To agree on all matters that the parties consider as vital.
''To deviate from this overall rule in Cyprus is even harder: Two different nations, two different religions, two different languages, two different States and a heritage of mistrust and bloody feuds. Objectively, the quest to bring together those that are radically different in an environment where even those which are alike are splitting is nearly an impossible mission,'' he said.
Stating that the issue of Cyprus should be addressed using a different method, Cem said ''In spite of the good will of UN the result is a persistent failure. History should not repeat itself.''
''Nevertheless, if the two parties can converge on the end-result based on reciprocal respect for the other's basic stance, with the understanding that nothing is agreed until everything will be agreed upon, then, proceeding with all other matters would be feasible: Not to expect the other party to give in on its vital concern, not to try to forge a 'trade-off', but to put together, to merge both parties' inalienable core stances,'' Cem explained.