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For those who follow the semiotics that the Turkish leadership likes to use, it is probably no coincidence that this aircraft was given the name “Akinci”, which is the same as the surname of Mustafa Akinci. This is in fact the superweapon that the Turkish leadership has already unleashed to achieve the co-exploitation of the hydrocarbons of the Eastern Mediterranean through Cyprus. Akinci is the President of the Turkish Cypriot sector (pseudo-state) until 2020, which is the next scheduled presidential elections of the Turkish Cypriots.

For the expected developments in the region, it is interesting to consider whether Mustafa intends to work constructively in the interests of his Turkish Cypriot compatriots or in the interests of Turkey or even in the interests of third powers, such as the British, for example.

The sewer negotiator

During a regional closed meeting of international experts on international security issues, the writer was an eyewitness to the attempt by English experts to promote Mustafa Akinci with flattering comments about his negotiating skills. The attempt took place at a time unrelated to the negotiations on the Cyprus problem and while this issue was not included in the agenda of the specific meeting. In particular, it was stated that for the resolution of the Cyprus problem: “the most suitable Turkish Cypriot negotiator is Mustafa Akinci and this crisis is based on the successful conclusion of the talks on the Nicosia sewage network”. The discussion on the issue did not take place in great detail, but the reference to Akinci was noted as not accidental by those present at this international meeting. Many commented that the intrusive intervention for Akinci was clearly premeditated but also irrelevant and untimely to the issues on the agenda, which were related to the illegal trafficking of military equipment.

For the record, after the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974, the negotiations for the sewage network of Nicosia were the first attempt at official talks between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, which even resulted in an agreement. The problem that had arisen was that in Nicosia the sewage network was under construction when the “green line” separated the Greek Cypriot from the Turkish-occupied sector. In fact, part of the facilities had been destroyed by the bombings. The network could not operate independently in the two sectors of the city, unless an agreement was reached for the completion of the works for the benefit of the entire city of Nicosia, that is, both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sectors.

The Turkish Cypriot delegation was headed by Mustafa Akinci and the Greek Cypriot delegation was headed by the then Mayor of Nicosia, L. Demetriades. The talks began in 1978, the construction and completion of the network resumed in 1980 and the final third stage of the project was completed in 1995. It is noted that the financing of the entire project was done with money from the World Bank, the European Economic Community and the Greek Cypriots. This first successful conclusion of talks between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots that took place after the Turkish invasion and occupation of Northern Cyprus is considered internationally by political and diplomatic circles as a strong indication of the effectiveness that can be achieved through consultation, for the resolution of vital issues.

The effort to promote and promote Mustafa Akinci by international experts, mainly English, and his promotion as the most suitable and skilled interlocutor for the resolution of the Cyprus issue should not go unnoticed. In the context of the business competition of companies in the Eastern Mediterranean, the English group of interests, British Petroleum and Shell, is competing with the mainly American-European interests, Exxon, Total, Eni. These companies, through the process of talks for the resolution of the Cyprus issue and the future of the British Bases on the island, seek to gain footholds and preferential treatment.

Turkish Cypriot Patriot?

There are strong “hued indications” that Akinci, at least at the beginning of his political career, reacted to issues that arose in Northern Cyprus as a result of the Turkish invasion and military occupation of the island. Specifically, he reacted to the fact that Turkish Cypriots serving as officers in the army have the final rank of Colonel, excluding their promotion to generals. In addition to this, Akinci reacted to the fact that civil servants in the Turkish Cypriot sector are paid directly by the Central Turkish Government and even that the Chief of the Fire Department in occupied Northern Cyprus is appointed by a decision of the Turkish military Commander. He publicly stated that the Chief should be a Turkish Cypriot and be chosen by the Turkish Cypriots. For these statements, Akinci faced political persecution from the Turkish occupation establishment.

The question is whether he continues to be a Turkish Cypriot patriot to this day or whether he has adapted to more general aspirations and interests. It is worth highlighting events and statements that signal or predetermine the upcoming developments: 

On 23-11-2017, President N. Anastasiades, at an event organized at the Athens Concert Hall, when asked about Mustafa Akinci, replied: "He is a Turkish Cypriot patriot who seems to be interested in the good of Cyprus. This was also evident in the initial stage of the Crans Montana talks, where the talks were going satisfactorily, until the point when Turkey intervened and ruined them."

On 18-02-2018, Mustafa Akinci, in a statement to CNN-Turk, said: “If the Greek Cypriot side is not ready for a solution to the Cyprus problem, then it must reach an agreement with the Turkish Cypriots on the issue of natural gas.” This statement is “in the bull’s eye,” that is, in the grill, making public the innermost aspirations of exploiting hydrocarbons.

On 01-03-2018, Akinci stated in a multi-channel television message: "The Turkish Cypriots do not wish for the occupied territories to be annexed and become the 82nd province of Turkey, just as they do not wish to become a minority of the Greek Cypriots. ... The Turkish Cypriots must control all their structures."

On 16-04-2018, a dinner was scheduled between Akinci and President Anastasiades, for an informal discussion with the aim of restarting the negotiations after nine months with the ultimate goal of finding a solution in 2018. Specifically, for this meeting it was written: "solution in 2018 or dance with the marbled king".

On 12-06-2018, Akinci attended the opening ceremony of the natural gas pipeline that transports gas from Azerbaijan to Europe through Turkey. He even participated in the photo that was distributed to the press, as if he were a member of the official Turkish delegation.

On 14-07-2018, Akinci, signing as President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, sent a letter to the UN Security Council on the occasion of the discussion on the renewal of the UNFICYP Peacekeeping Force. In this letter, he argues that: “The Turkish invasion of the island is legal and that the Turkish presence should not be seen as an expression of aggression, but as a means of preventing violence against Turkish Cypriots.”

On 20-07-2018, Akinci, making statements on the anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, stated that: "It was a life-saving intervention, which paved the way for the return of the elected leader of the Greek Cypriot community and the overthrow of the junta in Greece."

In conclusion, it seems that in recent months Mustafa Akinci has been politically siding with Turkey, distancing himself from purely Turkish Cypriot views of the past. Perhaps this is due to the outcome of the recent Presidential elections and Erdogan's omnipotence. Perhaps it is a product of economic interests or a political maneuver for survival. We shall see.

* Lieutenant General (I)ea Ioannis Anastasakis is an expert/strategic analyst, dealing with Regional Security for Economic Development, with a focus on the Balkans and the Middle East. Regional Observatory: Security for Economic Development – ​​(ROSED).