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''Cyprus reunification agreement still possible before 1 May''

An agreement on the reunification of Cyprus is still possible before it joins the European Union on 1 May, says Matyas Eörsi, the Hungarian Liberal member, who will report to the Parliamentary Assembly on the situation in the island, end of January.

Interview (16.01.2004)

Question: Matyas Eörsi, at the January session you will be presenting a report on behalf of the Political Affairs Committee on the situation in Cyprus, which you were visiting only a few days ago, on 15 January. At this juncture, just a few weeks before the enlargement of the European Union, when the Republic of Cyprus will be joining while still divided, what general impression did you get during your visit?

Mr Eörsi: I visited both the south and north of the island. In the south, I was greatly impressed by the consensus on the part of all political leaders that the solution had to be based on the plan drawn up by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. I really did feel a sincere will to resume negotiations with a view to reunifying the country before 1 May, the date of Cyprus’s accession to the European Union.

My visit to the north left me with a different impression. Despite the very strong desire I felt on the part of the social and economic representatives whom I met to achieve reunification, the political leaders did not seem to be quite so interested, and I got the impression that they were more concerned with problems of the past than with the future of the country. On the other hand, the general public, I repeat, seemed enthusiastic about the prospects of a solution.

Question: You mentioned 1 May next. After so many years of deadlock, can we realistically expect a reunification agreement by that date?

Mr Eörsi: I am more optimistic than I was. Time is running out, but it is still sufficient. The prospective negotiators are there, the Annan plan is still available, and there is still a chance of success given the requisite determination. However, Ankara holds the key to solving the problem, as the Turks are in a position to exert pressure on the northern Cypriot leaders. This means that Europe must make it clear to Turkey that if it helps settle the Cypriot question its own march towards the European Union will become all the easier.

Question: What can the Council of Europe do to help? Are you intending to propose any fresh initiatives in your report?

Mr Eörsi: First of all I will be thoroughly revising my report in the light of what I learnt from my visit to the island. The Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly have been dealing with the Cypriot question for a long time now, and so I am not planning to put forward any fresh proposals to the Secretary General. The Council of Europe is working alongside the European Union and the United Nations on this issue. We in the Council have excellent contacts with all those involved in both parts of the island. We can use our influence to encourage representatives of both sides to return to the negotiating table. In fact, I have noticed improvements in the general climate. For instance, the Political Affairs Committee adopted my draft report without a single amendment being proposed, which is a first for any text on Cyprus.