What has always been painted as bi-communal conflict in Cyprus, has in fact been, since time immemorial, the play of power politics by parties that have managed to remain invisible and silent about their responsibilities. Notwithstanding the appropriateness of the picture, an anonymous hand has always been setting the tempo.
Today, being semitransparent comes at a high price, but what is clearer, is that all the parties involved, stand on a common ground with a hand out to Europe as the most desired partner. This is the first area of consensus; with the exception of the UK, Citizens of Cyprus (TC+GC) and Turkey both stand united in their willingness to be part of the European union and thus the prevailing issue to resolve, is the how to even the European dancing stage for all.
In sum, at the deciding table of the United Nations, Europe has unquestionably mandated Mr. Ban to clear the path for real decision making about the European conflict resolution; that is, the conflict about the opportunity cost of not having Turkey being a full member of the European Union. This is so, despite the bi-communal smoke screen.
As with most complex political consensus making within Europe, the Cyprus issue is now an undesirable source of friction between the Franco-German alliance and the UK, which favors unconditional accession over the implementation model of power sharing in Cyprus.
Can then, Mr. Eroglu and Mr. Christofias agree to a proposed road map and time frame in how Turkey will become member of the European community? Yes they can, but first setting straight that power sharing in Cyprus is a dance for two and not a trio.
Thursday 18 November 2010
Turkish Gaza | Connecting with self-governance
