Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Oversay held a conference at London School of Economics titled as “Missing Elements in the Solution to the Cyprus Problem”. Kudret spoke about the latest development in the Cyprus Problem, about the challenges and ideas which he has for overcoming these challenges.
Kudret said the missing road map is the biggest challenge. The road map is essential in structuring the result-oriented process.
Kudret said,“It is important that the process remains under the auspices of UN and we want to see that the contribution of the international actors is done in this framework. We are not against international contribution as long as it is balanced and just.”
During the conference Ozersay spoke about the developments in the latest round of negotiations which began after the joint declaration. Ozersay underlined the basic principles stated in the joint declaration and emphasized that the steps forward are not included in the joint declaration.
Some of the important highlights from Ozersay’s speech:
Pointing out that the most important challenge during the process is the deviation from the past convergences Ozersay said that absence of a road map is a challenge as a road map is essential in structuring the result-oriented process.
“Negotiation process is not just a technical exercise it should be evaluated in a political framework. When we look from that perspective we see that there is a need for a deadlock which would be painful for both sides. For a long time the Turkish Cypriot community is experiencing challenges and therefore is acting with the awareness that the status quo is not sustainable. There are certain steps to be taken so that the same understanding applies to the Greek Cypriot community”, he stated.
He went on and said the following: “In 2004 prior to the EU membership a major opportunity was missed. If we don’t want to experience the same thing, different approaches to hydrocarbon can be developed in order to create an opportunity. So if extraction and processing of the hydrocarbon is tied to a comprehensive solution or if it happens before the solution it should be tied to the consent of the Turkish Cypriot community that way the process will be lot more simpler. When we look from the political perspective for the new structure to be formed, between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, international actors should take some steps”, he stated.
