United Nations.- By Apostolos Zoupaniotis

UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide will travel to the “triangle” Ankara – Athens – Nicosia in the first week of November in an effort to de-escalate the tensions raised following the Turkish NAVTEX and the violation of Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by Turkish seismic exploration vessel `Barbaros`. Following these violations President Nicos Anastasiades to suspend his participation in the UN backed negotiations.

While in New York Espen Barth Eide met with SG Ban Ki-moon and had consultations with the UN Department of Political Affairs. He also paid courtesy calls with the Permanent Representatives of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus and a representative of the Turkish Cypriots.

According to diplomatic sources, Eide stressed the need the situation not to worsen. The Norwegian former Foreign Minister seemed to support the idea to create a working group (other say a bicommunal think tank not related with the known working groups) aimed to explain the benefits from the gas reserves of the island to both communities and the solution more attractive.

Cypriot Government has made clear that the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereign rights could not be a part of the bi-communal talks, as Turkey pushes for with her provocative actions.

Diplomatic sources pointed out that in order for Eide to be successful in his mission, it’s necessary for the United States to mediate a compromising formula between Turkey and Cyprus, before the Special Advisor arrive in Ankara on November 3. He will also hold meetings in Athens on the 5^th of November, before going to Cyprus in the evening.

Following Eide’s meeting with Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General expressed concern over tensions arisen in relation to hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean and the suspension of Cyprus` talks, stressing the need for all concerned parties to de-escalate the situation.

In a readout issued by his Spokesman, Ban also expressed hope in view of Eide`s upcoming visits to Cyprus, as well as to Turkey and Greece, “that all concerned will work constructively with Mr. Eide to swiftly overcome the current difficulties.”

The Secretary-General stressed the need for all concerned parties to de-escalate the situation, so as to avoid any further instability in an already volatile region”, the readout added.

It noted that the Secretary-General “underscored the need for the parties in Cyprus to return to the negotiating table without delay”.

He further called on “countries of the region to help create a conducive environment for productive talks. He noted that, as both leaders have stated, the two communities can ill afford to perpetuate the status quo, in particular in light of the deteriorating regional context”.

“In view of the Special Adviser’s upcoming visits to Cyprus, as well as to Turkey and Greece, the Secretary-General expressed his hope that all concerned will work constructively with Mr. Eide to swiftly overcome the current difficulties”, the readout said.

Finally, the Secretary-General recalled “the commitment made by the two leaders in September to accelerate the negotiating process”.

U.S. GOVERNMENT

The US State Department has reiterated its recognition of Cyprus` right to develop its resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone (ΕΕΖ) and has said that it continues to `convey broadly` that tensions should be avoided over hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Replying to questions by the press on Thursday, State Department spokesperson Jennifer Psaki said that “we recognize the Republic of Cyprus’s right to develop its resources in its exclusive economic zone”.

We continue, she added, “to support strongly the negotiation process conducted under UN good offices to reunify the island into a bizonal and bicommunal federation”.

At the same time she noted that “we continue to believe that the island’s oil and gas resources, like all of its resources, should be equitably shared between communities in the context of an overall settlement”.

According to Psaki “it’s important to avoid actions that may increase tensions in the region. And certainly we convey that as well”.

Asked whether the State Department has asked Turkey or Cyprus to avoid tensions, she replied that “we are continuing to convey that broadly and certainly we believe that’s how things should proceed”.

Replying to a question as to whether the Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to stop provocative actions Psaki said she didn`t “have anything to read out in terms of the Secretary’s conversations”, adding that “we remain engaged at senior level with the governments”.

EU LEADERS

The European Council has called on Turkey to respect the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its waters, and has reminded Ankara that recognising all EU member states was a prerequisite for its EU accession course.

In its conclusions, the European Council expresses concern over the new tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and urged Turkey to show restraint and respect Cyprus` sovereignty in its waters and the sovereign rights of Cyprus in its exclusive economic zone.

Furthermore, it points out that it is imperative to secure a positive climate so that negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus problem can resume.

The final text of the conclusions was the result of improvements to three drafts.

Commenting on the conclusions, Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides expressed satisfaction and said the references in the conclusions were very important; noting that from the outset there had been excellent coordination between Cyprus and Greece. He added that many leaders had contributed towards achieving such favourable conclusions.

Christodoulides said the conclusions would help exert pressure on Turkey and for the Cyprus talks to resume, adding that Cyprus was expecting the European Commission to monitor the situation.

The decision of the European Council for Cyprus is important and strengthens the national strategy that highlights the catalytic relationship Cyprus and Greece have with the EU, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said, commenting on the EU summit conclusions regarding Turkey`s provocations in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone.

Samaras said he presented the positions of President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, who was unable to attend due to illness, regarding the Turkish provocations, noting that those positions were shared by Greece.

He added that the discussion led to a very important decision, with which Europe calls on Turkey to respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Cyprus in its waters and its exclusive economic zone, and that every candidate for EU accession is obliged to fully recognise all EU member states.

POLITICAL PARTIES

Political parties on Saturday deemed Friday’s European Council conclusions urging Turkey to show restraint and respect Cyprus’ sovereignty a good start to build on, calling for more dynamic measures that would discourage acts of aggression.

Ruling DISY said that the conclusions were a profound victory of our foreign policy, as it exemplifies “our allies’ solidarity.”

“We note that the Cyprus delegation and our diplomacy fought and won a significant diplomatic battle, as the final conclusions were the result of three successive improved drafts,” the party said in a statement.

“We must also praise the support and contribution of Greece, especially since Prime Minister Antonis Samaras represented Cyprus in the summit,” it added.

Main opposition party AKEL said that the conclusions “include items that must be exploited, despite the lack of explicit condemnation of Turkish illegalities.”

But it deemed the reference to “renewed tensions in the Mediterranean” and ensuring a “positive climate” as politically neutral. Even worse, AKEL said, the “absence of a demand to resolve the crisis caused by Turkey herself” is a negative outcome.

Former government coalition partners DIKO said the European Council issued self-evident proclamations, which it deemed “positive but not satisfactory” as it confined itself to a “mild intervention.”

“The European Council did not condemn Turkey for the illegality it has already committed, nor has it called on Turkey to stop this illegality, and it does not warn Turkey with sanctions in case it continues to conduct the illegality,” said the party’s spokeswoman Christiana Erotokritou.

“Unfortunately the Council followed the example of Turkey’s powerful allies and confined itself to a mild intervention, showing tolerance it did not have in other cases, when countries that are not even part of the EU were treated unjustly,” she added.

Socialist EDEK’s leader Yiannakis Omirou welcomed the conclusions but said Turkey must be faced with the prospect of “final and irrevocable” suspension of its EU accession talks.

“Since Turkey appears determined to continue violating Cyprus’ EEZ, the next step for Cyprus must be to ask for sanctions against Turkey,” he said.

“We must resort to the United Nations Security Council because of the threat posed to peace,” he added. “We must also announce that not only will we not allow the opening of further chapters in the Turkey-EU accession talks, but we will oppose the closing of any chapters, sending the message that we finally and irrevocably disrupt Turkey’s accession course.”

Citizens’ Alliance leader Yiorgos Lillikas also said more is expected from Cyprus’ European allies.

“We feel the conclusions are a step in the right direction,” he said. “They provide the Cyprus government with the option to demand sanctions against Turkey at the next European Council summit in December, if she doesn’t withdraw her ships and end research within Cyprus’ EEZ by then.”