[autom.vertaling] De V.N.: Overeenkomst van Cyprus zou tegen December kunnen worden bereikt (en)
The United Nations special envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto said that a settlement on the divided island of Cyprus is still possible before the Copenhagen summit in December, where the EU is expected to decide if the whole island of Cyprus will be admitted among the first wave of new members. This positive statement comes as pressure on both sides is mounting for a solution to be reached before the next EU accession.
"A settlement is possible and it is possible in the short time remaining for this opportunity to be seized," Mr de Soto told reporters after meeting Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou. Alvaro de Soto has led UN-brokered talks between Greek Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the past months but the two leaders have failed to carve out a deal despite an initial June deadline, the Cyprus Mail said.
While Brussels wants to see the Cyprus problem solved before the island joins the EU, it has said a solution is not a precondition for the island's admission. Turkey, who is demanding a negotiating date from the EU in Copenhagen, has threatened to annex the northern part of Cyprus if the Greek Cypriot part only is allowed to join the bloc prior to a settlement. This move, however, would strain the Turkish-EU relationship, but the options are quite limited if no settlement is reached before December.
Turkish Cypriot and EU positions diverging
The UN has been trying for years to reunite the island as a federation, as stipulated in Security Council resolutions and backed by Greek Cypriots. But Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader is not recognising Clerides as the president of the entire island, and is seeking legitimacy for the Turkish Cypriot 'state' that he heads but which is only recognised by Ankara. The wishes of the Turkish Cypriots, are also in conflict with that of the EU, which wants Cyprus to speak with one voice after enlargement and with the ability to implement EU laws in the whole of the island's territory.
Mr Clerides and Mr Denktash are due to meet in New York on 3 and 4 October, where the United Nations is expected to boost the talks by submitting a peace plan.