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Home arrow newsitems arrow CLRAE Chief Knape to EF: Cyprus President Anastasiades offer to DeCentralise for Peace =Interesting

CLRAE Chief Knape to EF: Cyprus President Anastasiades offer to DeCentralise for Peace =Interesting

Written by ACM
Thursday, 08 November 2018
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*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- Speaking at the eve of the International Forum for Peace in Paris, with 80 Heads of State/Government and UNO's Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, the New President of CoE's PanEuropean watchdog for Local and Regional Democracy (CLRAE), experienced Swedish ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Anders Knape, gave a Positive Reply to "Eurofora"s Question on Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades' proposal to Facilitate and Supplement the efforts for a Peaceful ReUnification of the island via an agreed Solution of the Political Problem, by adding also a large Decentralisation :


- Indeed, Knape clearly told us that he found that Latest move, (made Earlier this same week), to be "Interesting", and did not exclude that CLRAE might also Examine and Discuss that, in the foreseable Future.

 

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+ The New President of CoE's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) also told "Eurofora" that his officialy proclaimed Aim for the CLRAE to become a frequent and Direct Interlocutor of National Authorities and Governments, (enshrined in a Report on the "Consultation of Local Authorities by Higher Levels of Government", just Discussed and Adopted by the PanEuropean body's Plenary, earlier Today, during its Autumn 2018 Session in Strasbourg, 6-8 November 2018), would include Both the implementation of CoE's PanEuropean Texts for Local/Regional Self Government, and "various Other relevant Topical Issues", depending on the Specific situation and stakes in "Each Country".

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- CRLAE "is a Political body tasked with protecting local Democracy", and "an Important part of the COE and of the System of safeguarding Democracy in Europe". "That's why .... we must ...engage in regular Dialogue with Governments", stressed, earlier, in his Speech on his Election for the Next 2 Years (2019-2020), Anders Knape, who has already replied also to Various other "Eurofora" Questions on Topical PanEuropean Issues, (including, f.ex., the Fights against Radicalized Islamization, Ghettos, etc, but for Integration, and/or against the Economic Crisis, but for Jobs-creating Investment  : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coelocalautonomychiefknapeonterror.html , http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/clrae.html , etc).

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Anastasiades, at an exceptionaly Long Press Conference, earlier this Week in Nicosia, (which Coincided with the Beginning of CLRAE's Plenary in Strasbourg, on November 6), presented his idea to Add DeCentralisation to the Federal Structure of a State for a United Cyprus, in order to Prevent Problems from systematic Vetoes ("1 Positive Vote") by a Minority, (as had Asked Turkish Cypriot leaders, even whenever Decisions concerning Simply "EveryDay Life" will be taken by the Federation), which may Risk to provoke an Institutional Deadlock and Break Down, as in the Past. (Something that UNO's SG Guterres seems to have realized, when he urged for a "Normal State" in Cyprus, able to Work Efficiently). Only Issues where Core Interests of the Turkish Cypriot Community are at stake, might, eventually, be submitted to such a procedure, on Condition to set up an Efficient Mechanism for Resolution of such Problems, as also UNO implies. For the Rest, whenever possible, (i.e. for EveryDay Issues which are not Vital for the Federation as a whole : i.e. Security/Defense, Diplomacy, Natural Resources, Citizenship, etc), a Normal Local/Regional DeCentralisation can allow an eventual Diversity, here or there, without risking to jeopardise the overall functioning of a Federal State.


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Knape, a ChristianDemocrat/EPP, is member of the Biggest Political Party in Sweden currently, that of "Moderates", headed by Ulf Kristersson, who has just Won the Latest, September 2018 Elections, holding a Mandate to seek how to form a New Government Coalition, after an Historic Fall of the "Socialists", and, particularly, whether he'd manage to agree, or not, for a Unity of the Right, going from Liberals up to "Swedish Democrats" (Rightists : who won the most, in percentage, on 2018), to whom, the Swedish People's Votes gave an absolute Majority.


I.e. whether Sweden will follow the Example of its Neighbor : Norway, (where a Traditional Center-Right, EPP Party joined a new, Rightist Party, in a Coalition Government, headed by Ema Solberg : "the Best Prime Minister in the World" for German Chancellor Angie Merkel), and Austria (the current EU President), after Bulgaria (the former EU President), or a Different Formula, among Various kinds of Unity of the Right also in Denmark, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Finland, (incoming President of the PanEuropean CoE, for November 2018 - May 2019), etc.


Indeed, by a Coincidence, the move took place while CoE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, (a Norwegian), was meeting the Foreign Minister of Finland, Timo Soisi, former Long-Time Head of such a Rightist Party, and recently of a New Rightist Party, at Helsinki, (where was also going on, currently, on 7-8 November 2018, the ChristianDemocrats/EPP's Summit for the Election of their Leader to May 2019 EU Parliament's Elections, and Top Candidate for EU Commission's new President for 2019-2024).


"Eurofora" saw that Knape was in a hurry to leave Strasbourg at Mid-Day, by Flying towards Scandinavia, where several EPP Heads of State/Government, including Cyprus' President Anastasiades, still remained, before travelling to Paris overnight or next morning.


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+ At any case, concerning another Topical Big Issue, the New President of the CLRAE, who holds a particularly Extensive and intensive Experience also as co-Rapporteur on Local/Regional Democracy in Turkey, as Long as "since 1999", and already faced personaly "Pressure" from Turkish Government, (as he has reminded recently), replying also to another "Eurofora"s Question, ensured that he will  keep a Careful eye on that Serious Issue inside the CLRAE, (whose Elementary Values and Principles are obviously at Stake there).


Several CLRAE's Resolutions on the Situation of Local/Regional Democracy in Turkey, have clearly Denounced Ankara's Government, inter alia, also for an "UnParalleled" Oppression, which has practically "Suspended Democracy", or even exerted a "disproportionately DESTRUCTIVE effect on... Democracy", particularly in South-Eastern, mainly Kurdish, Regions, throwing Turkey "Back to the 1990ies", (i.e. when EU had Refused any controversial and Unpopular Turkey's EU bid, and had "Freezed" all EU Funds to Ankara), as Knape himself had pointed then out. (See, inter alia, also, f.ex.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/turkeylocaldemocracysuspended.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coepressuredbyturkeyonpersecutedmayors.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/clraeslamsturkeyforjailedmayorsunmonitoredelections.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coeasksturkeyfordemoraticalternativetokurdscondemnsviolence.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/kurdsandcyprus.html, etc).


++ Meanwhile, in Parallel, the Other Co-Rapporteur on Turkey, experienced Dutch MEP Leendert Verbeek, (an atypical Social-Democrat), has just been  re-Elected as Chairman of CLRAE's "Monitoring" Committee, entrusted with the Key role of Checking the real Situation of Local/Regional Democracy in all CoE's Member Countries, "Eurofora" learnt during this Autumn 2018 Session.

 

(../..)

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***

("DraftNews", as already sendd, Earlier, to "Eurofora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be Published asap).

***

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    The incoming Swedish EU Presidency (July-December 2009) may still remain in favour of Turkey's controversial EU bid, despite June 2009 EU Elections' results, but it has "very strong demands on Turkey"'s obligation to respect EU Rules, said the Head of Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, Cecilia Julin, to "EuroFora", reacting to critical Press reports.

    - "I know (that) the link is often made also to Sweden's position on Turkey"'s controversial EU bid. Indeed, "we (Swedish EU Presidency) are very much engaged in the future membership of Turkey, but not without fullfiling all the Criteria".

    - "It's very clear that we (Swedish EU Presidecny) have very Strong Demands on Turkey, in a sort of concept for Future membership of the Union, ...which will be a Long Process...", she stressed.

    This means, in particular, "the Copenhagen Criteria (on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law), and also the adaptation to the Acquis of the European Union".

     - "If you listen to what Mr. Bildt (the Swedish Foreign Minister) says on Turkey at different occasions, it's very clear : We want Turkey to become part of the Union, in the Future. But we want it to fullfil all the Criteria : The Acquis of the European Union. That's very clear", she concluded.

    The Senior Official of the Swedish Foreign Ministry was reacting to critical Press Reports, from Brussels' Journalists invited by EU Commission's secretariat to Stockholm, who claimed that Bildt was abusing of a ..."Whip" (sic !) against Cyprus, by "threatening" the presence of UNO's Peace-keeping force at the "Green line" which separates the island's Government-controlled areas from the territories occupied by Ankara's army, if Nicosia didn't accept any political solution, regardless of Turkey's demands, before the end of 2009.

        Governing AKEL Party's new Secretary General, Andros Kyprianou, reacted by declaring that no-one can threat the People of Cyprus : -"We shall decide for our Future, and nobody else",  he reportedly said, asking to "keep calm". "In order to find a Solution soon, certain basic Principles must be respected", he stressed, calling those who feel an urgency to use their influence on Turkey. Other Political Parties were more critical.

    This was a reference to recently reported statements by Turkish Minister Bagis, Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan and Turkey's National Security Council (a Military-Political body), accused to push towards a partitionist "2 States" solution, contrary to UNO SC Resolutions for Cyprus' reunification.

    December 2009 is a crucial moment for EU's appraisal of Turkey's controversial EU bid, because EU Council has decided to review then Ankara's compliance with the European position on the recognition of Cyprus' Government, which was clearly set out by an EU reply of 21 September 2005 to Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan's claims, refusing to recognize even the existence of EU Member Cyprus, in controversial statements he made to London (former EU chair) on July 29, 2005.

    EU Parliament's latest Resolution on Turkey, adopted on March 2009 in Strasbourg, warned Ankara that "the non-fulfillment of Turkey's commitments... by December 2009, may further seriously affect the process of Negotiations" with the EU.

    In practice, the issue boils down to Ankara's "embargo" against Ships and Airplanes using Cyprus' seaports or airports at the strategic EU island, which traditionaly hosts one of the World's biggest Shipping flags. EU has already "freezed" 6 relevant Chapters in EU - Turkey Negotiations since December 2006, after Ankara refused to fullfil a commitment it had undertaken when EU had decided to open controversial "accession" negotiations with Turkey, back on December 2005.

    - "As far as EU - Turkey relations are concerned, it's clear that Turkey needs to fullfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the additional Protocol (to "EC-Turkey Association Agreement"),  This is an important issue....and should be addresseed as soon as possible as it clearly affects the pace of the accession negotiations.Issues covered by the Declaration of September 2005 will continue to be followed up, and progress is urgently awaited", warned earlier in Strasbourg the out-going Czech EU Presidency (former vice-Prime Minister Alexander Vodra).

    But the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, Cecilia Julin, dismissed "interpretations" by "some" that Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was reportedly "threatening" Cyprus with consequences on the UNFICYP, if it doesn't accept any solution until December 2009, while Turkey is reportedly delaying in an attempt to impose a partitionist "2 States" solution.

    On the contrary, Julin, stressed that "Sweden has strong demands on Turkey'"s respect of "Copenhagen Criteria and EU Acquis".

    Meanwhile, Sweden  is "concerned" about the risk of "Stalemate" in Cyprus' Talks, but is well aware that "the main responsibilities lie with the two leaders and the UNO", Europe playing only a role of "facilitator".

    After carefully verifying, the Head of Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service, stressed to "EuroFora" that Bildt's reference to UNFICYP "was not linked to a Threat", and dismissed those who "interpreted" it so.

    On the contrary, the Swedish EU Presidency acknowledged the fact that Peace Talks are mainly for the UN and the leaders of the Cypriot communities, EU's role being limited into that of a "facilitator".

    As for Turkey's reported attempts to impose a "2 States' solution", the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service sharply replied by stressing that Turkey must respect the "EU Acquis" rules.

    In particular :

    - "Basically he (Bildt) underlined that it's the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus and the UN that have the main responsibilities for solving the problem", started to say the Swedish Senior Official to "EuroFora", referring to the above-mentioned "briefing".

    - "But the EU had a role in sort of pointing out the benefits and facilitating a little bit the outcome for the settlement of the whole Cyprus' issue", she added.

    - "And he did state the Fact, that the rest of the World (i.e. USA, etc) will, of course, look at the differend issues which are at the table, and the future of the UN Peace keeping force is part of what is at the table", she admitted.

    - "I understand that some have interpreted that as a Threat, by the Swedish Minister" "But", in reality, "it's a statement of a Fact, that, when we'll look at the differend issues, one of the issues on which we shall have to take a stand on, is the future of the UN Peace keeping force in Cyprus".

    Indeed, one of the questions usually raised for a Solution of Cyprus' issue is what International and/or European or other Guarantees, by a Peace-keeping force, might be needed afterwards, eventually for a transitory period.

    Questioned anew by "EuroFora" whether (according to critical Press Reports) this could be taken as a veiled warning that, if Cyprus didn't accept any Turkish demand for any solution whatever, it might be left alone to face Ankara's Military Invasion/Occupation, she denied :

    - "He (Bildt) didn't say it in that way"... "It was not linked to a threat, or anything like that", the Head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry's Press Service stressed.

    On the contrary, "he (Bildt) underlined that the main responsibility lies with the parties concerned on the island". "The EU can try to facilitate and show the benefits of reaching a settlement. But also, when the EU and the rest of the World (i.e. USA) will have to look at it, they will look at all the Facts on the table, and the presence of the UN Peace-keeping force is one".

    And "he (Bildt) didn't speak about that at all", she replied to "EuroFora" question on Turkey's reported attemps to impose, in one way of another, a partitionist "2 States solution".

    Asked whether Bildt's aim was to incite both parties to move forward efficiently, she agreed :

    - In fact, "the EU is really very concerned with the Stalemate in the situation. Yes !", the Head of Sweden's Foreign Ministry's Press Service anounced. That's why Bildt "was hoping for the two parties (i.e. for Turkey's also) to engage and break, a little-bit, the present stalemate, come to a solution of the issue" of Cyprus.

    But, replying  to a "EuroFora"s question on the risk, denounced by several politicians in case of strict Time Deadlines, for Turkey to provoke a stalemate and wait for the time to come to impose a partitionist "2 States' solution", she reacted by pointing at Turkey's obligation to respect "EU Acquis" :

    - "Turkey must fullfil the EU Acquis : That's clear !", the Swedish Senior Official stressed.

    More details are expected when Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt will debate his Programme with new MEPs at EU Parliament's plenary mid-July in Strasbourg, that he has visited already in 2008.

    Foreign Minister Carl Bildt became familiar with Strasbourg's CoE last year, when Sweden chaired the PanEuropean organization of Human Rights. As EU chairman-in-office, he will also chair the 27-member States strong EU Group inside the 47-member States strong CoE.

    Minister for EU affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom is well known at EU Parliament, where she has been an active MEP of the Liberal Group for many years, following also Press Freedom issues.

    Both have already made various statements at "EuroFora", on differend topical matters.

    ***

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