The Cyprus issue has been on the agenda of the United Nations for almost half a century as a problem that so far has defied all settlement efforts undertaken by successive UN Secretaries-General. The failure to solve the problem to this day however does not necessarily mean that it is intractable, but it indicates that the lack of any incentive for a solution on the part of the Greek Cypriot side has been the main reason for the unsuccessful settlement efforts. The fact that the Greek Cypriot side has been unlawfully and unfairly recognized, since 1963, as "the Government of the Republic of Cyprus", and under this title has been a member of the United Nations and has also become a European Union member as of 1 May 2004, has encouraged it to pursue a policy of extending its authority over the whole island rather than concluding an agreement with the Turkish Cypriots on the basis of a power-sharing arrangement between the two sides.

Notwithstanding the fact that the efforts of the UN through the good offices mission of the Secretary-General has so far not been sufficient to bring about a comprehensive settlement to the island, the accumulated work nevertheless has shaped the basic settlement parameters which would be the part and parcel of any future settlement in Cyprus. This body of work, as the UN puts it, covers all settlement efforts to this date, most importantly the UN Comprehensive Settlement Plan of 31 March 2004, a blueprint that comprises approximately 9000 pages and is a culmination of four decades of negotiations. The rejection of this internationally endorsed plan by the Greek Cypriots through a resounding "no" in the referendum as called for by the then Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Tassos Papadopulos, was a major setback in the settlement efforts which led to more than four years of deadlock in the negotiations. Furthermore, the plan has been demonized by the Greek Cypriot side ever since and has been portrayed as the source of all evil. The UN and particularly the then Secretary-General, whom the plan was named after, was blamed by the Greek Cypriot side for the failure. Once again, the abbreviation SG for the Secretary-General has conveniently become the abbreviation for scapegoat. The Greek Cypriots have rejected the plan through their commonly expressed will. This has to be respected. At the same time, however, the Turkish Cypriot overwhelming "yes" vote for the Plan, despite the great sacrifices it entailed for them, deserves not only respect but also requires taking necessary steps by all the third parties, in line with the promises given and decisions taken since 2004, to end the unjust and unjustified isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.
The lifting of isolations is not an end in itself, but will be an important step towards a comprehensive settlement by leveling, at least to some extent, the playing field between the two sides on the island. It will also lead to a smoother unification as the economic disparity between the two sides will be reduced. The lifting of isolations will restore the confidence of the Turkish Cypriots in the international community and particularly in the EU which has been seriously damaged since 2004 as a result of the fact that despite their expressed will for compromise and EU membership, Turkish Cypriots were left out in the cold through no fault of their own. The EU, for its share, must first decide whether or not Turkish Cypriots are EU members. Saying that they are, but at the same time subjecting them to isolations cannot go hand-in-hand. How can one be considered as European if he/she is not allowed, among other things, to travel and trade freely. It is about time that the isolations on the Turkish Cypriots are lifted and they are prepared for the not too-distant day when they take their rightful place in the EU as the equal partner of the Greek Cypriots in a united Cyprus.
With the election of Mr. Dimitris Christofias - who was a major figure in the "no" camp at the 2004 referenda, but underlined the need for a settlement during his election campaign - as the new Greek Cypriot leader in the South on 24 February 2008, the deadlock in the negotiations came to an end. Within a couple of months, as a result of the constructive and flexible approach of the Turkish Cypriot side, we have jointly agreed that full-fledged negotiations under the auspices of the good offices mission of the UN Secretary-General will resume on 3 September 2008. As a further sign of the prevailing positive atmosphere created by the two leaders, the UN Secretary-General has recently decided to appoint, with the consent of the two sides, Mr. Alexander Downer, a prominent and respected international personality, as his new Special Advisor on Cyprus. This appointment is also an indication that the UN is ready to be more actively involved in the negotiations.
When the negotiations resume in September, the leaders will take up the four core issues of the Cyprus problem, namely Governance and Power-Sharing, Security and Guarantees, Property, Territory in addition to the issues of European Union and Economy. The working groups established by the two leaders as per the 21 March 2008 agreement have already discussed various aspects of these issues and identified areas of convergence and disagreement which will be used by the two leaders in their full-fledged negotiations. The Turkish Cypriot side believes that a comprehensive settlement is possible and achievable by the end of the year 2008 given that every aspect of the Cyprus problem has been discussed and negotiated in detail during four decades of negotiations. What has been lacking so far was the political will and courage to engage into a meaningful give-and-take process to shape out the comprehensive settlement within the spirit of compromise and reconciliation. It is the expectation of the two peoples in Cyprus as well as that of the international community at large that the current two leaders will rise to the occasion and bring this protracted problem to a mutually acceptable conclusion.
The role of the international community during the negotiations will also be very important for a successful outcome. There is no doubt that an issue which has been on the agenda of the United Nations for almost half a century is an international problem. Although the two sides in Cyprus are the main actors in the negotiations, the role and the responsibility of the guarantor powers (United Kingdom, Turkey and Greece) in a settlement cannot be overlooked. Their main responsibility is to encourage the two sides for a mutually acceptable compromise settlement on the island. Turkey, for its part, has always encouraged the Turkish Cypriot side for a just and fair settlement in Cyprus. This support has played a major role in the overwhelming "yes" vote of the Turkish Cypriot people to the UN Comprehensive Settlement Plan in 2004. Thus, with their positive stance in 2004, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have proved, beyond any doubt, their sincerity for a settlement. If the other two guarantors also act in line with their responsibilities, the chances of success of the current initiative will be much higher. The UN, on the other hand, should encourage the two sides to negotiate on the basis of established UN parameters and body of work. Otherwise, any effort to deviate from the accumulated work would mean to discard the product of four decades of negotiations and start from scratch. Certainly, Cyprus cannot wait another forty years for a settlement.
The process of negotiations will not be easy. There are major differences between the two sides regarding certain aspects of the Cyprus problem. Finding a compromise between the two sides will require flexibility on both sides. The two sides should at the same time aim at finding a settlement that would not rock the boat more than it is necessary. The issue of property, which is the most complex and probably the most difficult topic to be dealt with is a good example in this regard. Insistence that tens of thousands of Greek Cypriots should be able to return to their former properties in the North is not conducive to a settlement as it would create political and economic instability in the Turkish Cypriot Constituent State (the Turkish Cypriot administered State in the North after a settlement) by making thousands of Turkish Cypriots currently living in these properties refugees once again after more than three decades. Thus, the issue of property should be dealt with in a manner making use of all the options available for the exercise of property rights, namely compensation, exchange and restitution.
As per the issue of governance and power-sharing, the political equality of the two peoples in the new partnership should be safeguarded in a settlement and necessary mechanisms should be devised to translate this effectively in the workings of the state machinery. The distinct identity of Turkish Cypriot people and Greek Cypriot people should be respected and preserved in the agreement. Effective mechanisms should be established to prevent one people from exercising jurisdiction or authority over the other. Cyprus is the common home of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. Their relationship within the context of a settlement should be organised in a manner fully reflecting this reality.
The issue of security and guarantees is also important for the Turkish Cypriots. The history of Cyprus is full of grievances and sorrow. To prevent the repetition of past events, the continuation of the 1960 Treaties of Guarantee and of Alliance is crucial.
The choice today before the two sides in Cyprus is clear. They will either both strive for a common future and show the flexibility required to solve the Cyprus problem or they will accept the permanent division of the island. If they opt for settlement and unification, they should act without further delay and a solution should be found in the shortest possible time. The island of Cyprus has been identified with problems and conflicts for too long. It is about time that it becomes an island of reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are civilised and well-educated people who are capable of realising this dream.
I am hopeful that this time the negotiations will yield a result and the long-awaited settlement of the Cyprus problem will be realized. Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will once again become partners rather than adversaries. They will enjoy the benefits of EU membership together and strive for better living standards for everyone living in the island of Cyprus. The settlement will also consolidate prosperity and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The already developing relations between Turkey and Greece will enter into a new phase. With the eventual membership of Turkey to the European Union, the south-eastern part of the European Union will be a hub of peace, cooperation and prosperity.

Mehmet Ali Talat
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus