Negotiators pledge to continue CBMs to maintain momentum in Cyprus talks
Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis and his Turkish Cypriot colleague, Kurdret Ozersay, have underscored the significance of confidence building measures in sustaining the positive momentum created during the last months.
The two negotiators were addressing a gathering to celebrate the third anniversary of the Home for Cooperation, which took place on Saturday at the H4C in the Nicosia buffer zone.
In his speech, Mavroyiannis said he was moved to be attending the gathering, but at the same time, he could not “keep thinking that we are meeting in the buffer zone”.
As a result of our past, he said, the current state can be explained in historical terms. But, he underlined, “you would agree that it cannot be accepted as part of our future”.
Mavroyiannis said the “status quo is unacceptable from every point of view, having ruptured the social tissue of the country, while steadily widening the division between the two communities”.
He said economic growth has been hampered by the subsequent uncertainty, as well as prospects of development. Above all, he added, “the status quo has put in question the universality of international law and its practice”.
The Cyprus Problem, he said, “needs to be addressed in a comprehensive and sustainable manner”. For the last eight months, the Cypriot negotiator said, “we have engaged in an intensive effort to achieve a just, viable and negotiated comprehensive settlement striving for the reunification of the island. We have been adamant on the need for a concrete basis to support the negotiations process and we invested time and effort to carefully form it. In the joint communiqué of February 11th, we have outlined the settlement’s framework, on the one hand providing the solid basis sought, on the other hand creating a positive momentum”.
He went on to say that in the following weeks, the two have “assessed the state of play, mapping each side’s positions and identifying the core issues of the Problem”.
Now, he added, “we have started a new crucial phase aimed at reducing the existing gaps. Rather than turn this effort into a zero-sum exercise and compromise the positive momentum, we have the ambition and determination to create a real win-win situation”.
“This positive momentum created during the last months must be sustained in as many ways as possible”, underlined Mavroyiannis, adding that “we are confident that CBMs can be of great help to this end and thus, we have proposed the Famagusta package1, which is meant to provide a boost that would lead to a decisive breakthrough”.
The Famagusta package, he noted, “should be seen as a “game changer” that would foster a spirit of confidence and cooperation, build mutual trust and re-invigorate hope for a solution. We believe that such a proposal would create a first important win-win result, for all stakeholders”.
Mavroyiannis pledged their determination to “do our utmost to reach an agreement for a functional and viable comprehensive solution with the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots fully respected”.
He stressed that they have neither hesitated for a moment, nor drafting any Plan B.
“Our aim is a fully functional modern democratic state, member of the European Union, where the two communities will thrive, and see their identities upheld and enriching and multiplying the potential of our country. Reunited Cyprus can secure its place in the core of the Union by actively participating in the Union’s institutions and benefiting from its structures. In this pursuit, we are ready to address all legitimate concerns, while assuring a fully functioning Member State of the European Union.
The Greek Cypriot negotiator remarked that “paving the way to the success of the negotiations process demands the active involvement of the people of the island” and “civil society has to get involved; being in position to inject a dynamic impetus to the process and provide a stimulus to the prospect of reaching a comprehensive settlement”.
Most important of all, he said, is the participation of young people. It is our duty to provide them the tools to shape it, he remarked.
Our vision, Mavroyiannis added, is a country which not only could provide for its own people but also assume a stabilizing role in the Eastern Mediterranean, being in position to project a model for peace and prosperity in the region.
Concluding, he said “our ambition is to see the Home for cooperation becoming the matrix and the leaven that will render every house, every building every square centimeter of our country to vector of cooperation and synergy and a substratum of our common future”.
Standing next to Mavroyiannis, Ozersay described the H4C “a success story”, adding that the two have useful meetings at the Home.
The building, he said, is very useful for those who are not able to cross for different reasons as it provides a space for individuals to get together to discuss different issues.
It is true, he said, that Confidence Building Measures are very important and it is a kind of cooperation that is going to be provided as part of the CBMs. “We together, committed ourselves to putting into effect different CBMs as part of the joint statement agreed between the two leaders and we are working on that in parallel to the comprehensive settlement talks”.
The priority, he said, is to achieve a viable, comprehensive settlement, based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, based on political equality, which will include two constituent states.
It is important to celebrate the third year of the H4C, he said adding “I believe that next year we can get together to celebrate the H4C in a different environment. And I promise to work for CBMs, aiming at expansion of the cooperation outside the buffer zone as said by Andreas by keeping in mind that our priority is the comprehensive settlement”.
In her speech, Lisa Buttenheim, Special Representative of the UNSG for Cyprus and Head of UNFICYP, described the opening of the Home three years ago a “wonderful moment”.
She said that for many years, this space had been a sad place a symbol like many others, of the division of the island. It is opposite another icon, the Ledra Palace Hotel. Today however, the H4C stands restored and vibrant. “Making its own mark of renewal and encouragement along the path to resolution to the Cyprus problem”, she remarked.
Buttenheim said when it opened, it aimed to be a living proof of what could be possible with education in Cyprus. “A common space for cooperation, dialogue, interaction, based on mutual respect, providing new opportunities to bring fresh ideas and trust to the debate that is so critical across this island”.
This is now a reality, she said, and many people have passed through its doors, sharing ideas from different walks of life, listening to each other`s visions, searching for solutions to interconnecting issues and problems, contacts have been made and relationships built. “Helping Cypriots to develop different perspectives, which in my view, is an essential element for lasting peace and stability in Cyprus”.
The two negotiators, have met in the H4C without the presence of the UN, she said.
She added the UN has consistently underscored the importance of a vibrant and engaged civil society, an informed public in moving the peace process forward and ensuring the sustainability of a future agreement.
The H4C has played and continues to play its part in advancing these efforts and ideals, she concluded.
Norway`s Ambassador Sjur Larsen, whose country is one of the major donors of the H4C, reflected over the H4C and said that if people share a dream, it will become true.
He also said that a good project may find dedicated sponsors.
Larsen also said that a project that fulfils needs, will be used by the public, will gain the support of the political leaders.
His vision for the future, he said is that the H4C become a home for NGOs of the United Cyprus, “where people from both communities live and thrive. May we soon come to the point where the H4C is an address in Nicosia and not in the buffer zone but in a reunited city. When this will happen is up to the communities of the island and its leaders”.
Dr. Meltem Onurkan Samani, speaking on behalf of the AHDR (Association for Historical Dialogue and Research) and member of the H4C Governing Board said that the Home stands as a symbol of cooperation, solidarity and friendship, inspiring those who envision a shared peaceful future for all people living in Cyprus.
She said it contributes to the building of cultural cooperation in Cyprus. People from Cyprus and abroad have the opportunity to visit the Home and become actively involved in its activities. It is living proof of the dynamic civil society which is devoted to the vision of peace building in Cyprus.
Her colleague, Dr Kyriakos Pachoulides said that less than a week ago, the H4C received the EU prize for Culture, Europa Nostra Award. “The justification of this decision highlights the significance of the place”, he remarked.
Pachoulides said that in order to bring peace and prosperity on our island, a political agreement on a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem is a necessary condition. He also said a positive society transformation is needed as well. The Home for cooperation for the last three years has been working towards this direction through the promotion of dialogue and constructive intercommunal contact
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