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International Policy Perspective Papers

International Policy Perspectives
No. 2001. 3, May, 2001

Since International Policy Perspectives papers are issued to Contribute to public discussion of significant issues in international affairs and foreign policy, we encourage readers to join in that discussion by sending their comments to the Center. International Policy Perspectives should not be reproduced or quoted at length without the consent of the author or of the Center for International Studies. Paper in the International Policy Perspectives series reflect the views of the author (s) and do not represent the views of the Center for International Studies or the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Cyprus' Reunification and Membership in the European Union
Honorable Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis
Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S.A.
Issued: Center for International Studies
University of Missouri Saint Louis
St. Louis, MO 63121-4499

CYPRUS' REUNIFICATION AND MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION:
A CHALLENGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Ambassador Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis
Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S.A.
Remarks presented to the conference on Greece, Cyprus and Hellenism in the 21st Century.
Presented by the Karakas Family Foundation Alliance for the Advancement of Hellenic Studies of the Center for International Studies University of Missouri-St. Louis
May 19, 2001

Includes remarks in Tribute to Dr. Nicholas Matsakis, Honorary Consul of Cyprus in Missouri, 1970-1992. (See Appendix A).

"CYPRUS' REUNIFICATION AND MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION:
A CHALLENGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY" SPEECH BY MRS ERATO KOZAKOU-MARCOULLIS
AMBASSADOR OF CYPRUS
AT THE UNIVERISITY OF MISSOURI, ST. LOUIS
SATURDAY, MAY 19TH 2001

TALKING POINTS

• Greek Turkish Relations
  
• Greek-Turkish relations have long been a significant priority for US Foreign policy, as a result of the fact that Greece and Turkey, two NATO allies, have been at the threshold of war during most part of the last 50 years, thus causing concern to the alliance in general and to the United States in particular.

• While a number of other issues have kept Greek-Turkish relation strained throughout the years, the Cyprus problem, emanating from Turkey's illegal aggression against Cyprus, has remained the most divisive and contentious issues, constantly poisoning and weakening their cooperation within the Alliance.

• As a result of continuing Turkish threats and provocations, a growing arms build -up and an excessive arms spending have assumed dangerous proportions and have deprived the three countries of important resources that could be used to further strengthen and consolidate their respective economies and augment the prosperity of their people.

• The increased tension between Greece and Turkey over the Cyprus issue has manifested itself in a number of ways over the years. An illegally divided Cyprus only adds to the tension and increases the risk of a tragic confrontation, that could have unpredictable consequences.

• If a crisis erupts in Cyprus and gets out of hand, the potential for a wider conflict beyond the island, that could involve the two NATO allies, is real and could be catastrophic.

• Undoubtedly, a Greek-Turkish rapprochement remains the desirable alternative. A lot has already been done in that direction as a result of earthquake diplomacy, Balkan cooperation and a concerted effort on the part of the two countries. But, rapprochement and better relations will not go far and will neither be consolidated nor succeed without a just and workable solution of the Cyprus problem.

• It is to be expected that, as long as the present status quo on Cyprus continues and as long as Turkish troops occupy 37 percent of the island's territory, forcibly dividing Cyprus and its people, Greek-Turkish relations will not be fully normalized and the inflammable situation in and around the island will continue to pose a threat to peace and stability in the region.

THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

• As Secretary of State Colin Powell said in January during his Senate confirmation hearing, the Cyprus problem has been lingering, festering as a sore in the region and remains an irritation between Greece and Turkey.

• The forcible separation of the two communities on the island on the basis of ethnic lines reminiscent of the abhorrent system of an apartheid and the military occupation of one third of a country that is at the doorstep of becoming a member of the European Union, constitute a shameful anachronism in a twenty first century environment.

• Reunification of the country and the people has remained an objective consistently pursued by the international community over the years.

• All the ingredients for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem exist and they have been spelled out in the two bi-communal United Nations that have endorsed the parameters for a Cyprus settlement.

• The United Nations through several resolutions of the Security Council has reaffirmed its position that "a Cyprus settlement must be based on a state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity described in the relevant Security Council resolutions, in a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation, and that such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with any other county and any form of partition or secession".

• Several initiatives have been launched and many efforts have been exerted throughout the years to reach an agreement on the basis of those parameters. But no progress has been achieved for the simple reason that the Turkish Government and the Turkish Cypriot leadership have all along lacked the political will for a solution. In fact, they still maintain that there is no problem to be solved. Instead, the demand that new "realities" should be accepted, meaning the occupation, the forcible division, the illegal secession and the continuing violation of human rights.

• What is imperative is for the international community to impress upon the Turkish side to solve this problem and to cooperate in the efforts towards finding a solution within the agreed framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. It also remains of paramount importance that the human rights of all the citizens of Cyprus should be fully respected and guaranteed under the new federal arrangement, which has to be also compatible with the legislation of the European Union, whose membership Cyprus is seeking.

• The world must not become complacent in its acceptance of the results of aggression, or in its acceptance of division, disunity and separation under any disguise. The dividing line in Cyprus violates the very heart and spirit of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and all International Conventions for the protection of Human Rights. To accept the result of aggression is to reject the most vital lessons learned from the catastrophic wars of the twentieth century and the core principles and values on which modern statehood and international relations are founded.

• The recently adopted Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the Fourth Interstate Application of Cyprus v Turkey, by which the Court reaffirmed the view that the government of the Republic of Cyprus remains the sole legitimate government in Cyprus and which found that Turkey has violated and continues to violate in Cyprus numerous Articles of the European Convention on Human Rights pertaining to the issues of the missing persons, the displaced Greek Cypriots and the enclaved, is a historic decision of the highest judicial authority of the Council of Europe that has vindicated the struggle of the suffering people of Cyprus. Turkey, as a member of the Council of Europe has the unquestionable responsibility to implement the Judgment and to redress the human rights violations that affect thousands of people and which are the direct of her continuing aggression against the Republic of Cyprus and its people.

• Failure on the part of the international community to impress upon Turkey to put an end to her illegal aggression and to reunify Cyprus, would strike a heavy blow on internationally accepted norms and principles and it would be an anachronism in a stable twenty-first century and an invitation to instability and tension.

• A unified Cyprus not only makes sense, but is also in accord with cherished United States basic norms and principles, as well as with the values of freedom, justice and respect for diversity that make up the American reality. Reunification, therefore, would be a victory of democracy, a victory of human rights and a victory of the rule of law.

CYPRUS' ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

• Reunifying peacefully the European continent is the goal of the enlargement process. Cyprus is an integral part of this remarkable process and is leading the group of candidate countries currently negotiating their membership to the European Union.

• The European Union provides the appropriate environment for the two communities to find a common home live together as European citizens. The experience of other European Union countries to that effect is very positive in projecting a Union where reconciliation and cooperation have replaced years of confrontation and mistrust.

• Admitting Cyprus is the next logical step in enlarging a Union that already includes peoples from the north and south of Europe and will soon include some of the continent's newest democracies in the east. Cyprus is a European democracy of long standing that is prepared to play and capable of playing a greater role by contributing to the Union's political and economic goals.

• Admitting Cyprus to the EU will extend Europe geographically, politically, economically and culturally, to the edge of the Middle East. This will give the union a greater voice in efforts to promote peace, stability, democratization and economic advancement in the troubled region.

• Cyprus' political, economic and security interests coincide with those of European Union member-nations and the United States. It is therefore in Europe's and America's interest to extend the benefits of the EU to Cyprus and to allow Cyprus to contribute to the strength and well-being of the Union.

• Cyprus holds in common with the EU and the US some important values and policies We are a democratic nation. We extend the full range of political rights and civil liberties to our citizens. We have developed a strong economy based on free trade and open markets. Through the European Union, we hope to secure the further advancement in all these spheres and to share the benefits and responsibilities deriving from membership.

• Reunification and membership to the European Union is not a zeros-sum game for Cyprus, the Union, Turkey or United States interests Any gain for one can be also a gain for the other and could be to the benefit of the relationship between them. It can of course be primarily beneficial for the citizens of Cyprus, that have grown separately for the past 27 years. The European Union can be the new catalyst that will work in the direction of bringing them back together in a new relationship of cooperation and partnership as citizens of Europe.

• A stronger and more stable enlarged Europe and a stronger and more stable reunified Cyprus can be to the benefit of the transatlantic relationship and can be a win-win situation on both sides of the Atlantic.

• Cyprus has set itself a goal: of being integrated, strong, stable and vibrant. Removing the barriers of division and separation is a historic challenge and responsibility. It gives a new hope for prosperity and for a better future for the island as a whole. It provides a forward-looking vision that once fulfilled could help in realizing the wider goal of stabilizing the continent and unifying Europe.

• Cyprus' membership in the European Union would primarily benefit Cyprus but it could also be of benefit to the European Union itself, because it will prove the therapeutic effects of the enlargement process and of the unification of the continent in ensuring democratic stability and economic prosperity to the countries of Europe.

• Benefits for Turkey

• Finally it would also benefit United States interests not only because of anticipated improvement of Greek Turkish relations, but also because Cyprus will become vibrant outpost of the European Union closer to the region of the Middle East and ready to assist in bringing peace, stability and prosperity to a region that has been torn by confrontation and violence for nearly half a century.

• After more than a quarter of a century of division, Cyprus has managed to rebuild and develop politically and economically. It has also managed to sustain its democratic ideals and the values to which every European nation aspires. But it has been deprived of the opportunity to realize its full potential. Our people must live and work together in a reunified homeland, member of the European Union. To make it happen is the big challenge and the big opportunity at this turning point in the 21st century.

APPENDIX A
TRIBUTE TO DR. NICHOLAS MATSAKIS
BY MRS. ERATO KOZAKOU-MARCOULLIS
AMBASSADOR OF CYPRUS TO THE UNITED STATES
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 19, 2001

I wish to take this opportunity of my first visit to St. Louis, to pay special tribute to Dr. Nicholas Matsakis, who served in an exemplary way as Honorary Consul of Cyprus in Missouri from 1970 until the year 1993. His service to the Republic of Cyprus was invaluable and I am here to express on behalf of the Government our deepest appreciation for his tireless efforts to represent in so many way the interest of Cyprus in this important State. Cyprus thinks highly of Dr. Matsakis and my presence here today is in great part aimed at honoring him and to say thank you for everything he has done.

But over and above his services as an excellent Honorary Consul of Cyprus, I wish to pay tribute to Dr. Matsakis for his tireless struggle for Justice and Freedom to Cyprus. His passion for Cyprus has been translated into a cause that he continues to pursue to this very day, every day of his life, until Cyprus is vindicated and the rule of law prevails.

From the period of the British Colonial rule when the people of Cyprus revolted for self-determination and freedom from the bonds of domination and servitude, through the troubled years of the Turkish threats and provocations against the independence of Cyprus in the 1960s and early 1970s, until the Turkish invasion and occupation of 1974, which continues to forcibly divide Cyprus and its people, in violation of every principle of international law, Dr. Matsakis has been a noble soldier in the struggle for freedom and justice to Cyprus.

Founder and Chairman of the Justice for Cyprus Committee of Greater St. Louis, Dr. Matsakis has stood by the people of Cyprus in probably the most difficult of their 10,000-year history and has been a driving force and a central figure in all the efforts of the Greek American Community to convince successive United States Governments and lawmakers to pursue a policy of respect for the rule of law.

Thank you Dr. Matsakis for your continuing struggle and your never ending love for Cyprus. Thank you for your noble ideals and principles. Thank you for giving us the privilege to consider you one of our best ambassadors for the cause of our Freedom, for the cause of Justice.

On behalf of the Government of Cyprus and on behalf of the people of Cyprus, that have remained always so close to your heart and soul, please accept this small token of our appreciation: A publication on the Destruction of the Cultural Heritage of Cyprus by Turkey. A case of plundering and looting of a 10,000 year history and civilization. We hope that with your continued efforts and those of the entire Omegeneia of this great country, we will be able soon to bring this anachronism to an end and see a reunited Cyrpus, free from Turkish occupation troops, barbed wires and ethnic cleansing, reach its natural destination, membership in the European Union. We know that then and only then you will be happy, you will be content.