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2021[/B] will go down in the history of the Cyprus problem as the year that overturned many facts, unfortunately in a bad sense. The Turkish side formalized the change of course and since then has refused to see the realities and cooperate, contributing constructively to achieving the desired goal of a final settlement. This is because it boldly chooses to find a problem in every solution, instead of a solution to every problem.
\NIn this light, we have welcomed another year over which hovers the nagging question: what will happen to our national question? No one can give a clear answer, but weighing the facts leaves little room for optimism.
Before we get to today, it is worth remembering what the year we said goodbye to at midnight taught us. The highlight of the Cyprus problem was the informal conference in Geneva in Holy Week. The five parties were in the Swiss city at the invitation of Antonio Guterres in an attempt to find the golden mean to resume meaningful negotiations. Not only did this not happen, but as a result the gap between the parties widened dangerously and concerns about the day ahead swelled.
As part of the meeting, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, submitted a written proposal to change the format of the solution with a new Security Council resolution. The President of the Republic categorically stuck to the agreed and UN-defined framework, refusing to advocate the implementation of the unacceptable Turkish methods. He reiterated his proposal for an effective MoU (Varosha, Airport and Port), which however did not go ahead because of the other side's insistence.
In a dramatic intervention, the UN Secretary General appeared ready to declare "game over". He questioned whether the parties wanted him to go to the Security Council and return the mandate he has received on the Cyprus problem. The session ended without any result as the delegations failed to agree even on the appointment of a Special Envoy to continue efforts. Something that was not achieved even at the September dinner in New York between Guterres, Anastasiades and Tatar.
Landscape in fog
The facts show that the Cyprus problem is at one of the worst turning points ever. Time is ticking away without any effort, as the Turkish side remains unmoved by approaches capable of blowing everything up. There is no understanding, no will for dialogue, no willingness to abandon the unacceptable provocations and violations in the EEZ and Varosha.
\NThe only interpretation that can be given to this obsessive denial by Turkey is that there is a plan leading to a specific goal. The recognition of the pseudo-state by the international community so that through it Ankara can put the entire island, and by extension the EU, under its control. To be able to profit from the natural wealth and to enable Erdogan to brag at home about a "victory". In any case, he believes that there are not many such fields left for him.
This is where the Turkish President is leading developments with mathematical precision, having set 2023 as the timeframe for implementation. It is the year in which the modern Turkish state reaches a century of life and the Erdogan government is looking for ways to... "celebrate".
This is a nightmare scenario, which both the UN and the EU should start taking seriously. There is no more time to lose, Turkey must not be allowed to get closer to its goal undisturbed and this must be fully understood by all. So let 2022 be a year of mobilisation, seriousness and responsibility. By all.
\NContents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times\NViews & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times\NSource