The Turkish daily describes the reported proposal as a “second Annan Plan”, with territorial returns tied to rotating presidency, federal power-sharing and Turkish Cypriot access to trade, flights and energy resources.
A Turkish newspaper has reported the existence of an alleged new framework for the Cyprus problem, claiming it would provide for the return of Varosha and Morphou to Greek Cypriots as part of a wider settlement package involving political and economic concessions to Turkish Cypriots.
The report was published on the front page of Sözcü, which linked the timing of the alleged proposal to the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
According to the newspaper, the framework is being attributed to María Ángela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus. Sözcü claims that, in exchange for the return of Varosha and Morphou, the package would include rotating presidency, the creation of a federal council and Turkish Cypriot participation in the administration of a federal Cyprus.
The Turkish daily also reported that the Turkish Cypriot side was being offered participation in the European Union framework, the lifting of restrictions, direct trade, direct contacts and flights, as well as access to energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Sözcü described the alleged proposal as a “second Annan Plan”, drawing a comparison with the UN-backed settlement plan put to separate referendums in Cyprus in 2004.
The newspaper also claimed that the reported framework ignores Turkey’s rights and claims over natural gas and oil in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The claims come amid renewed diplomatic activity around the Cyprus issue, as Holguín continues efforts to prepare the ground for a new informal meeting under UN auspices.
Source: CNA
