Cyprus Accord Possible In 2014, KKTC Leader Says

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) President Derviş Eroğlu said on Monday that a settlement of the 40-year-old conflict that divides the Mediterranean island is possible this year.

Eroğlu told reporters after meeting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York that negotiations with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades on reunifying Cyprus, which resumed in February after a 20-month stalemate, could produce results.

"Our target remains ... the settlement of the Cyprus problem in the shortest possible time," Eroğlu said. "We have the support of the secretary-general in this regard. He has been encouraging the both sides." He also said the US had put in a great deal of effort for reconciliation on the island.

Cyprus has been divided between the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north since 1974, when Turkey sent troops to the island in the aftermath of a coup supported by Greece that sought to unite Cyprus with Greece. The two sides have been trying to strike an accord for decades, with UN support.

Talks resumed in February after the two leaders took a different approach and agreed on a document outlining key provisions of an envisioned federation.

The Turkish Cypriot leader said the current negotiations are aimed at bridging the remaining gaps between the two sides.

"We'll try to bridge our differences and find a comprehensive settlement in the shortest possible time," Eroğlu said. He added that the KKTC proposed a date and a scheduled program for the reunification.

"We said a settlement is possible within this year. We can finalize a settlement, and take it to ... separate simultaneous referenda, in 2014."

He also underlined the need for good will during the peace talks. Eroğlu reportedly criticized Anastasiades for his remark saying there will be reconciliation at the end of 2015 in Brussels. The KKTC leader says losing time is of no benefit to anyone.

“Ignoring the issues that two sides already agreed on and setting off the road from the start will cause [a] considerable waste of time. I don't think either our nation or [the] Greek Cypriots have patience for negotiations to last another 40 years,” the Turkish Cypriot leader said.

Secretary-General Ban encouraged Eroğlu, together with Anastasiades, "to maintain the current momentum in the talks" and reaffirmed the UN's commitment to assist the two sides to reach a comprehensive settlement, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday night.

Outgoing UN envoy Alexander Downer told a farewell news conference on March 27 that Cyprus' bailout and economic problems could bolster the chances of a peace accord.

He said the island's shrunken economy and high unemployment could get people to focus on the benefits an agreement would bring, such as a potential increase in foreign investment and a tourism influx.

Natural gas off the coast of Cyprus wasn't discussed during the meeting, Eroğlu said, adding that the issue needs to be discussed between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

The eastern Mediterranean rose to importance due to the natural gas reserves explored by Israel and Greek Cyprus. According to energy experts, a settlement in Cyprus will turn the eastern Mediterranean into a new and reliable source of energy for international markets.

(Cihan/Today's Zaman)