SWITZERLAND: Negotiations on the reunification of Cyprus shifted yesterday from Brussels back to Burgenstock with the return from the European Union summit of the Cypriot President, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, and the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, Mr Petros Moliviatis and Mr Abdullah Gul.
The three men brought a breakthrough formula forged at the summit on the key issue of exemptions from the principle that EU citizens should enjoy freedom of movement, settlement, property ownership and employment in all member-states.
While the majority Greek Cypriots are prepared to accept temporary limitations on these freedoms within the proposed bizonal, bicommunal federation, the minority Turkish Cypriots insist that the exemptions should be permanent in order to preserve the ethnic composition of their area. An authoritative source told The Irish Times that the EU formula grants "permanent exemptions while denying they are permanent." The formula is expected to launch the awaited "give and take" round of talks.
For instance, in exchange for accepting this fudge, the source said that Greek Cypriot refugees driven south when Turkey invaded the north in 1974 could be offered the right to reclaim one-third of their property and to have a home in the Turkish zone.
But they would have no political rights there. This provision would permit virtually all 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees to reclaim part of their patrimony in the north.
In addition, the plan permits 30 per cent of the refugees to settle in northern Cyprus and enjoy full rights. Turkish Cypriots would have the same rights in the south. These provisions are designed to secure a Yes vote in the April 20th communal referendums. There are other possible scenarios.
The major push for a comprehensive deal begins today when the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, arrives. Once the work of the drafting committees is complete, he will formally present the fourth version of his comprehensive plan to the sides.
It has, reportedly, been modified to meet the Greek Cypriot demand that the new state should be functional and viable, as well as the Turkish Cypriot demands for "strengthened bizonality" and the EU exemptions. Agreement has already been reached on the section in the plan covering finance and the economy.
The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Mr Günter Verheugen, is also expected this weekend and the Greek and Turkish Prime Ministers, Mr Costas Karamanlis and Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrive on Monday.
The UN aims to reach an accord by March 31st so that preparations can be made for the separate referendums.
If the improved Annan plan is approved, a united Cyprus will join the EU on May 1st. If not, the Greek Cypriot majority Republic will enter the EU and Turkish Cypriot membership will be postponed.