The UK Foreign Office is moving strongly behind the scenes in order to bring the Cyprus issue back on the rails of the negotiating process. However, the behind-the-scenes interventions are characterized by the well-known logic of “constructive ambiguity”, while the differences between the two sides regarding the form of the solution are underestimated.
According to secure information, the contacts of the person responsible for the Cyprus issue in the Foreign Office, Ajay Sharma (recently also in New York), mainly with the permanent members of the Security Council (the other four), as well as with other capitals, show that London considers that the differences can be overcome, as it considers them “small details”.
He argues that the insistence of each side to interpret from its own point of view the form of the solution perpetuates the impasse to a large part. He hastens to mention that this makes it easier for Turkey to advance its plans in Famagusta and the EEZ.
The official of the Foreign Office in his contacts speaks of “obsessions” of the Greek Cypriot side, while interpreting the insistence of the Turkish Cypriots for a two-state solution, in their pursuit to ensure “equality”. It also appears that they “welcome” the need for those involved to appear flexible in terms of the form of the solution and not to “stick”, more or less, on the labels.
At the same time, Ankara, through its Permanent Representative in New York, F. Sinirioglou, sent a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (dated 18 November), rejecting the complaints of the Greek Cypriot Permanent Representative, for the obstruction of the research vessel “NAUTICA GEO”, acting on behalf of South Cyprus. Interestingly, the Turkish diplomat, in addition to his well-known positions, attached to the letter the map, which according to the Turkish claim, defines the boundaries of his country’s continental shelf. The charter was officially submitted to the UN on March 18, 2020 and describes the “Blue Homeland”.
