TATAR'S ELECTION A 'NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT' AKEL SAYS

 Cyprus Mail 18 October 2020 - by Evie Andreou

Main opposition Akel said Sunday the election of Ersin Tatar’ as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community was “a negative development”, given his position on the Cyprus problem.

“Nonetheless, in view of the fact that the UN Secretary-General has repeatedly reiterated his intention to undertake efforts to revive the negotiations, the Greek Cypriot side must remain committed and consistent in resuming negotiations from the point they left off in Crans-Montana (in 2017),” the party said.

The party said it would make an overall assessment of the situation.

Socialist Edek said the election result showed that Ankara has the leading and defining role in decision-making in the north.

The party called for an “end to illusions”.

“The Republic of Cyprus must make the most of its political and diplomatic weapons to strengthen its negotiating position and to protect itself against Ankara’s expansionist and subversive plans,” Edek said.

Reports had been swirling at the weekend that the international community, particularly the UN, was gearing up for a new push on the Cyprus issue with a possible visit by the Secretary-General’s envoy Jane Holl Lute at the beginning of November. Lute has not been in Cyprus for a year.

With Turkey’s shifting stance on a federal solution, and its backing of Tatar, the effort might yet be in vain.

When President Nicos Anastasiades began negotiating in 2013 after his election with the then Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, also, like Tatar, National Unity Party, the talks went nowhere for two years until Akinci was elected in April 2015.

On top of that, tensions have risen on the island due to a number of factors, main among them being Turkish activities in Cyprus’ and Greece’s waters, the partial opening of Varosha under Tatar, and the closing of the crossings, especially Ledra Street, due to coronavirus, which has driven the two communities further apart.

The presidential palace has been silent so far on Tatar’s win.