The complication that has come up in the Cyprus talks taking place at Crans Montana in Switzerland is due to the Turkish side’s insistence to promote the issue of the four freedoms, something which has prompted Maarten Verwey, Director General of the Structural Reform Support Service of the European Commission, to intervene.

The European Single Market, Internal Market or Common Market is a single market that seeks to guarantee the free movement of goods, capital, services, and labour – the “four freedoms” – within the European Union (EU).

Reliable sources told CNA that the issue was raised by the Turkish Cypriot side both at the morning discussion at the level of the bicommunal talks and in the afternoon during the meeting of the two negotiating teams with their technocrats. Verwey’s explanation was deemed as important by the UN as he clarified points regarding the four freedoms which are implemented in all EU member states, and who and how enjoy these freedoms.

No progress was achieved on the issues of securities and guarantees other than the replies to questions which the Under Secretary of the UN Jeffrey Feltman posed. When the four freedoms were raised, President Nicos Anastasiades said it is an issue that concerns Turkish nationals and not Turkish Cypriots and that if it did then he could consider its limits.

The continuation of the conference on Friday in the presence of the UN Secretary-General, who will arrive via Geneva in Crans Montana in the morning, is expected to be more indicative of the Turkish side’s intentions.