"Opportunities for a resolution of the Cyprus problem have always existed. What was lacking was Turkey's political will," Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said in an interview with NEA Savatykiriako, likening Turkish mediation efforts in Ukraine more to "public relations exercises."
He acknowledges the pressures on the Cypriot economy due to the sanctions on Russia and stresses that everything will depend on the outcome and duration of the war.
Russian invasion of Ukraine. Is Turkey gaining strength on the international diplomatic scene and how concerned are you?
Let's be honest. Turkish mediation efforts in Ukraine are more akin to public relations exercises. They are in no way actions that have substance, content and de facto do not seem to produce results. Even in this great challenge to world peace and security, Turkey is behaving in an opportunistic and self-serving manner. However, we can see that in some cases Turkey's role is accepted and sometimes endorsed, despite the fact that Turkey is not complying with the EU's restrictive measures, which is also an obligation arising from its status as a candidate for EU membership. I believe that over time it will become more difficult for Ankara to continue to walk in two boats and present itself as a pretentious neutral. Both the EU and NATO have to find answers as to the Turkish approach if they want to be credible organisations, not only internationally but also vis-à-vis their own members.
Can an occupying power have a role as a guarantor of peace in Ukraine?
You are right. This is a political oddity and an oxymoron. A country that has violated every principle of international law, that has abused its right as a guarantor power granted by the 1960 Constitution to invade and conquer a third of Cyprus and create a subordinate administration in the form of a pseudo-state, now presents itself as a security provider and guarantor in another region of the world. It is a distortion that needs political rationalisation.
How do the sanctions on Russia affect the economy of the Republic of Cyprus?
Like all EU member states, Cyprus is experiencing a strong wave of inflationary pressures, mainly due to rising fuel prices. Despite the fact that our country is not dependent on Russian natural gas, the increase in the price of other fuels, the increase in tariffs and general market pressures are clearly affecting Cyprus as well. Cyprus' economy is based on three main pillars. Tourism, services and shipping, where there is a significant impact. However, the indications we have are that, despite the complications, our economy is responding positively and I believe that we will be able to face this crisis as well. Of course, everything will depend on the intensity of the war and, above all, its duration. However, I am optimistic that, in cooperation with our European partners and in a spirit of unity, we will face this crisis as well. This crisis will undoubtedly affect the economy and the daily lives of citizens to some extent. Every day we are witnessing an increase in the prices of various goods and we must be prepared for this, as the possibilities for state intervention due to the healthy state of our economy are serious but not unlimited.
The new facts created by the Ukrainian situation, especially the energy crisis, may give rise to pressure on the Republic of Cyprus to accept Turkey's accession to possible new energy routes?
We have faced similar ideas of pipelines through Cyprus to Turkey in the past and we are likely to face them in the future. We are not negative, but our conditions are clear: any agreement made must respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and must of course be economically viable and environmentally acceptable. For this to happen, it must be preceded by a resolution of the Cyprus problem and a settlement of the disputes with Turkey, such as the EEZ agreement.
Can the energy issue become an opportunity for a solution to the Cyprus problem, as Ankara claims?
Opportunities for a solution to the Cyprus problem have always existed. What was lacking was the political will of Turkey. We have made it clear many times that a solution to the Cyprus problem can benefit not only the Cypriots, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, but also Turkey itself, and will contribute to the security and stability of the wider region. Of course, as long as Turkey abandons its publicly proclaimed goals of two states and acceptance of sovereign equality as a precondition for the start of negotiations and respects the rights and will of all Cypriot citizens.
Can Ankara's attempt to normalize its relations with countries such as Israel affect the partnerships that the Republic of Cyprus has developed?
The friendly relations that we have established with the countries of the region at the bilateral level, as well as through multilateral cooperation schemes, are based on sincerity and mutual respect. They are by no means a zero-sum game. It should be said that all efforts to cooperate in the region are welcome. As long as they are done within the framework of respect for the rights of the countries in the region, international law and, in this case, the law of the sea and good neighbourly relations. It is precisely in this direction that our relationship with Israel is based. Therefore, any strengthening of relations between Israel and Turkey is not directed against and does not affect Israel's relationship with Cyprus. Moreover, this has been made clear in our contacts with the Israeli government at all levels.
Do the multilateral partnerships maintain their momentum and how important is it that they continue?
These schemes, which were launched on our own initiative in 2013, not only maintain their political momentum, but are being upgraded and expanded. The 3+1 scheme is tangible proof of our efforts to create a "regional multilateralism" approach in the Eastern Mediterranean through specific thematic programmes in different areas such as energy, climate change, blue economy and natural disaster response. We recently had an extremely productive meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus, Greece, Israel, USA under the 3+1 format and I am confident that in the near future there will be tangible political deliverables that will consolidate and institutionalize multilateral cooperation.
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