On Tuesday 03 December 2024, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Giannis Kefalogiannis, attended the presentation of the book entitled “Cyprus-50 Years Since the Turkish Invasion, 20 Years Since Accession to the EU”, which was held in Nicosia.
The event was organised by Representatives of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Greece and Cyprus and the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies and was supported by the “Glafkos Kliridis” Institute.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Representatives and President of the “Dimokratikos Synagermos” Party, Ms. Annita Dimitriou prefaced the discussion, in which the President of the “Glafkos Kliridis” Institute and MP of the “Dimokratikos Synagermos” Party, Mr. Haris Georgiadis and the Substitute Professor of the University of the Peloponnese and editor of the book, Mr. Adonis Klapsis, participated. The Director of the Konrad Adenauer Institute Delegation in Greece and Cyprus, Mr. Marian Wendt and the Martens Centre Director for International Cooperation and Projects, Mr. Panos Tasiopoulos made addresses, while the coordination of the discussion was done by the Director of the “Kathimerini” newspaper for Cyprus, Ms. Maria Ikonomidou.
Mr. Kefalogiannis pointed out that through the times, the real opportunities for a viable solution of the Cyprus Issue have not been plentiful and we must examine under which circumstances we can create new ones, pointing out that such opportunities can only be created through the financial, diplomatic, and military strengthening of the Republic of Cyprus.
In the meantime, he characterised the Turkish inflexibility as the main reason that the occupation is prolonged, also underlining that this reality must be internationally “communicated” more intensely and in a more effective manner. Additionally, he made a positive remark on the upgraded role of the EU in the attempts for the reinitiation of negotiations within the framework of the UN, as well as on the initiative for discussions by the Republic of Cyprus, regarding the cooperation with and its future joining of NATO.
In the following discussion regarding the book, the Deputy Minister of National Defence mentioned among others:
“I would like to thank the Conrad Adenauer Foundation, the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, and the “Glafkos Kliridis” Foundation, for the great pleasure they offered me by being in Cyprus once again, and for the honour to participate in the presentation of a book, which constitutes, allow me to say, a “must have” for all those who love and are interested in Cyprus, its recent history, and how the latter shapes the challenges the future holds. Much more than that, this book is absolutely necessary for those of us who participate in one way or another, some more and some less, in the planning and implementation of policies – policies which we ought to form with a clear head and realism, based on objective data and within the framework of the rules and principles that support viable solutions in existing issues.
In my opinion, there is a thread, which is sometimes visible and sometimes not, and runs through the pages and chapters of this book and captures the essence of the two anniversaries, which takes shape through one crucial question: Are there realistic potentials for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus Issue, namely the end of the illegal occupation of the northern part of the island by Turkey and the creation of a Bizonal, Bicommunal Federation in accordance with the Decisions of the UN Security Council, the fundamental Principles of the EU and the Unifying Acquis? Additionally: Can it be democratic and functional at the same time? Will it be able to allow the people to express themselves, while simultaneously respecting the rights of the Turkish-Cypriot community by being democratic? Also can the respect of the rights of the Turkish-Cypriot community not be against the everyday function of the state? This strategic choice of Nicosia, which is supported and a foremost priority of the foreign policy of Athens, is something that we must comprehend within the new geopolitical data of the broader region and quite possible research new creative ways to promote it to the international community and public opinion, thus creating the proper conditions for its implementation. Through the times, the opportunities for a viable solution of the Cyprus Issue have not been many and we must investigate which are the prerequisites in order to create new ones. In my opinion, such opportunities can only be created through the financial, diplomatic, and military strengthening of the Republic of Cyprus.
Let me use Greece as an example. Two – three years ago it seemed inconceivable for Greece and Turkey to begin discussions aiming at a better cooperation based on three axes: The first one is political discussion, in which, evidently, major geopolitical issues will be discussed, the most important of which being that which we recognise is our only dispute with Turkey, namely the boundary setting of sea areas, EEZs, and continental shelves. The second one is Confidence Building Measures and the third one is the so called Positive Agenda, which has to do with the cooperation in financial, energy, or even civil protection issues. This has occurred because Greece has strengthened itself in diplomacy, military, as well as financially much more than in the past. In diplomacy, we try to play a role as a pillar of stability in the region, by respecting our strategic alliances with Israel, but at the same time those with significant Arab countries, such as Egypt, in objectively complicated times. When it comes to the Middle East, for example, we have accumulated a significant trustworthiness capital, due to our external politics, which is characterised by principle and allows us to hold discussions with all parties involved, while they are aware that there is no bargaining diplomacy is hidden behind our stance, as it happens with Turkey. It has become widely known, that enhancing the deterrent capabilities of our country is a prerequisite for the peace and prosperity of civilians. At this point, I would like to remind you that the modernisation of our armaments programmes is part of a multi-faceted national strategy for the strengthening of our country’s defence, in the centre of which there is a series of multilateral or bilateral cooperations in the field of defence. I would like to point our that this strategic choice for the creation of defence alliances with key-countries in our broader region, functions as a force multiplier of our defence capabilities. Finally, as regards finances, Greece is in the best possible condition of the past fifteen years. What we will achieve is uncertain. If, however, there is a window of opportunity to solve our differences in accordance with international law and in a manner that ensures our rights, security, and stability in our region, we have a national duty to utilise it, no matter how small.
As regards Cyprus, the Turkish inflexibility is de facto the main reason of prolonging the occupation. We must communicate this reality internationally, more intensely, and more effectively. A problem is the viewpoint that some international “players” have created for Cyprus, as regards the responsibilities of each side on the matter. That viewpoint, which has mainly occurred due to the rejection of the Annan Plan, is that the Hellenic-Cypriot side shows a systematic unwillingness to solve the issue by relying on the admission of Cyprus to the EU and the consequent gap that separates Greek- and Turkish- Cypriots, while the latter are presented are the victims. In this manner, what is attempted is to justify why Ankara persists on following a plan other than that of the Bizonal, Bicommunal Federation, since they have – supposedly – tried every option and trying to exploit the fact that international institutions have grown tired of the issue. In fact, Turkey justifies new incidents, for example in Ammohostos, as well as the attempt for the international recognition of the pseudostate, by claiming that Greek-Cypriots do not wish to share power or even the benefits, which will occur through the exploitation of mineral resources, with Turkish-Cypriots. This is the picture that is promoted by Ankara and we will not let it become established. And we must utilise all potential alliances to achieve that. Secondly, it is also a very significant of Mr. President to upgrade the role of the EU, in its attempts to restart negotiations within the framework of the UN. The EU must take an active role in all stages, using all the suitable means at its disposal. Thirdly, from a military point of view, the initiative for discussions and cooperation, as well as the future joining of NATO are rather important. On the one hand, because this way there can be an essential improvement of the armaments programmes of the National Guard and, on the other hand, because that is the way a proper strategic relationship is built with a global superpower, such as the USA.
I would like to finish this statement by saying that the geopolitical, military, and financial strengthening of Cyprus does not automatically lead to the resolution of the issue of the occupation. It creates, however, a window of opportunity, which we must take advantage of. The mindset of remaining idle does not aid the resolution of the issue. On the contrary, it helps the establishment of absolutes”.