– Are you optimistic that this time the Cyprus dispute will be solved? What has changed compared to previous attempts?
Being hopeful and struggling for reunification of the island is part of our ideological stance. We are going through a period of interesting developments. Cyprus dispute is an international problem. 1960 Republic of Cyprus system and the historical process of the island reduced the problem down to an international problem. This needs to be noted. We may not be happy with this reality, however coming up with a political solution would not be possible without ruling out the actual situation. The important issue at this point is to create a solution model which would accomodate the expectations and common future of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and respond to this.
There are two main differences compared to previous initiatives: First, the issue of how to arrange the hydrocarbon reserves in the Eastern Meditearranean, is directly relevant to the solution of Cyprus issue. Since 2003, there’s an ongoing tension between Turkey, Republic of Cyprus and Israel. We are happy that this tension has not turned into a hot conflict, however relations between the three states i have mentioned needs to normalize in order to eliminate the current tension. And this can be achieved through a solution to the Cyprus issue.
In further details, the issue can be broken down into the USA seeking dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean; diverting this resource seen as an alternative to Russian Natural Gas to Europe via Turkey and Greece; easing the EU process of Turkey; lifting of the suspension of NATO-EU Security cooperation due to Turkey and Republic of Cyprus not recognizing each other; revenues of hydrocarbon reserves providing significant opportunities both to the New Cyprus State which would not actually be born into a period of economic ease, and to Turkey and Greece… All these and similar factors prepare the grounds and provide an opportunity for the International community to unlock the process in cases of deadlocks.
Secondly; Mr. Anastasiades adopts a real federation model in which the central administration is weaker and constituents are stronger ,which is closer to the Turkish thesis. This issue has created a crucial environment in which sides can work together. Also, the fact that the negotiators will be visiting Turkey and Athens mutually in the forthcoming days may seem to be a formality but it is also crucial. Single sovereignty, single international identity and single citizenship being clearly mentioned in the joint declaration and clearly defining a federal solution is also of crucial importance.
At this point, given the political reality on this small island which has turned into a playground for imperial Powers, us Cypriots both need to cooperate and actively work for a solution which would protect and improve our absolute rights. What matters to us, is to achieve a structure in which people are united and become partners rather than being divided, by protecting and recognizing all types of different identities. It is possible to create a joint, democratic and civilian country. It is possible to create a demilitarised country which is free of all sorts of foreign interventions where people can determine their own future, free of all sorts of fanaticism, based on the rule of law focusing on the objective of unification. And this is and would be a significant step in terms of our ideals. This step would constitute an enormous democratic revolution. It would be a historical development.
– One of the basic arguments posed by the Greek Cypriots explaining their "distrust" is that Northern Cyprus is completely dependent to Ankara. How do you comment on that?
For almost 40 years, since 1974, Turkish Cypriots have been able to establish contacts almost only with Turkey. They communicate with the institutions and organizations in Turkey to resolve the problems they encounter in economy, trade and other matters. This situation has certainly led to a dependency. However, it would be superficial to say that Turkey governs northern Cyprus. Yes, she undoubtedly has influence over but the strength of this influence varies depending on the conditions. It is very important that Turkey supports the new process. It is very important for us to make good use of this opportunity and work very hard for an independent federal republic from this moment onwards
– The closest we came to a solution, was the attempt by the presidents Christofias and Talat. Would it be any different if the Cyprus dispute was resolved by the Left compared to a solution negotiated by right-wing governments?
Of course it would bave been different. But it did not happen. It could not happen. The agreement called the joint declaration, on which a federal structure will be built, does not exclude the 23 May- 1 July joint declarations of Talat and Hristofias (although there are certain differences between the two).
That is why, we have made very important contributions to the point reached today. I also firmly believe that around 30 convergence documents that were prepared during the same period will significantly contribute to the current process.
In the globalized world, all socialists should cooperate on a global level against neoliberal and imperial dominance and translate the global strength gained through such cooperation into practice on regional/country level. I do not think that the existing structures yield the desired impact. We definitely need a much better organized and much more effective global socialist struggle. We can only shake the incredible global power of neoliberalism and take a stance against the imperial dominance through the kind of cooperation I have just mentioned. As long as we feel this need in that regard within the existing circumstances, as it was felt a century ago, we certainly have the power to achieve this.