Yesterday’s two-hour meeting between Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou and Turkish Cypriot negotiator Mehmet Dana produced nothing new, either on confidence-building measures or on stepping up contacts aimed at reviving the Cyprus talks. The two held a thorough discussion covering all the issues arising from the UN Secretary-General’s recent visit to Cyprus.
According to Phileleftheros information, there was no encouraging sign from the Turkish Cypriot side on opening crossing points or on other “low politics” issues discussed at the two-community level. Notably, the Greek Cypriot side proposed ramping up efforts toward resuming talks, but received no positive response from the Turkish Cypriot side.
Attention now turns to next Wednesday’s meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman. The August 26 meeting is expected to give a clearer picture of the intentions of the occupation leader and the Turkish side more broadly, and to show whether Erhürman is willing to deepen contacts with Christodoulides.
Overall review of issues
Yesterday’s meeting was the first between Menelaou and Dana since the UN Secretary-General’s visit. A source familiar with the talks described it as good, saying it included an overall review of the issues but produced nothing that changes the situation as it currently stands. There is nothing new on opening new crossing points, the source added, though the recording of convergences continues.
The Greek Cypriot side proposed stepping up meetings in the coming period to prepare for an informal 5+1 meeting, including leader-to-leader meetings once or twice a week. The Turkish Cypriot side also expressed readiness to intensify contacts, though without reaching any specific conclusion. No new Menelaou-Dana meeting has been scheduled before the Christodoulides-Erhürman meeting on August 26.
Blame game continues
Erhürman keeps up a daily blame game directed at the Greek Cypriot side. Yesterday’s target was the issue of Greek Cypriot applications to the so-called “immovable property commission.”
In a new social media post, the Turkish Cypriot leader accused the Greek Cypriot leadership of “attempts to obstruct or hinder” Greek Cypriot applications to the commission.
He went on to describe the “commission” as a mechanism through which Greek Cypriots can submit claims over property rights dating from before a settlement. He noted that the European Court of Human Rights has recognised it as an effective domestic remedy under international law. Maintaining such a mechanism unilaterally is not easy, he said, but any shortcomings identified have been addressed and the committee will be strengthened more quickly.
Erhürman also argued there is no equivalent mechanism on the Greek Cypriot side for assessing Turkish Cypriot claims over immovable property remaining in the government-controlled areas, and questioned why applications to the ECHR-approved commission are being obstructed. He further questioned why efforts to resolve the property issue are being pursued through criminal means that could restrict the freedom of private citizens, asking whether such initiatives build trust between the two communities or fuel tension instead.
He concluded by asking whether law is being used to protect individual rights or for political purposes. He said he explains this tirelessly to international counterparts, and will continue to do so with even greater effort.
