Cyprus 1974 – Ukraine 2022
Cyprus 1974 – Ukraine 2022
27.03.2022 • 20:43
“Geopolitical Realities in the Plans for a Solution to the Cyprus Problem (1948-1978)” is the title of the essential book for every citizen of Hellenism by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides. It is published in a new edition by the historic – literally – publishing house of I. Sideris, with a tradition and distinction in the publication of essays of free thought.
Friday, March 18. The War Museum's ceremony hall was filled. The publisher, Mr. Andreas Sideris, was justifiably satisfied. It's been a while since I've seen so many people. I don't know if we've overcome fear. We can, by being disciplined, resist the pandemic and fear. I'll try to explain the reasons for the crowd:
1. The Cyprus issue as a problem of invasion and occupation is of more interest than we think and what outsiders, the “international factor,” appreciate. Mr. N. Christodoulides, with an undeniable political vision and future, in an inspired speech without slogans, reminded that the assessment that in Cyprus the “old people are tired and the young people are indifferent” has proven to be wrong.
2. The presence and speeches of distinguished personalities. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nikos Dendias, welcomed from New York the book that “underlines our commitment to a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the decisions of the UN Security Council and the European acquis, as well as our commitment to respect for international law”. The Deputy Minister of Education, Professor Mr. Angelos Syrigos, with the clear writing and straightforward speech that distinguish him, wrote the foreword. The author’s mentor at the University of Cyprus, Professor – Historian Mr. Evanthis Hatzivassiliou, had given us the exemplary foreword to the earlier, first edition. The contribution to the coordination of the authoritative journalist Ms. Alexia Tasouli was essential.
The former President of the Republic, Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos, highlighted the importance of the Cyprus problem as an international problem, the analogies of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the policy of double standards regarding sanctions. Also, the importance of the coexistence in the solution to the Cyprus problem of international law, the European acquis and especially primary European law, noting that "international law is indivisible". Its application cannot be selective.
3. The widespread perception of “Ukraine 2022 – Cyprus 1974”. The coincidence of the event with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. For Mr. Putin’s Russia, areas of sovereign Ukraine are considered Russian. Just as the territories of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops are considered Turkish by Turkey. There is no difference between the methodology of the declaration on 15.11.1983 of the pseudo-state and the declaration of the alleged independence of Lugansk and Donetsk.
I am not arguing by explaining the self-evident commonality of characteristics of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the “reasons” invoked by Turkey, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Turkey’s selective sensitivity, impunity and the continued tolerance of the 48-year occupation of Cyprus by the UN Secretariat, NATO and European leaders gave the wrong message to the Kremlin. Mr. Putin was discounting similar tolerance and appeasement.
4. Questions about the next day. Ukraine's accession prospect to the EU should not be jeopardized by alleged "political expediency" of the European Commission and any "second thoughts" of certain member states. If today, for the sake of appeasing Turkey, deviations from the European acquis and primary European law are accepted in the Cyprus issue, then an additional bad precedent is created for Ukraine's accession. The reverse reading is also valid. It is in our interest to underline, especially in the context of the EU, the analogy of the two cases.
The lively interest in the exemplary book by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. N. Christodoulides, is now better explained. It is timely. Famagusta and Mariupol are traumatic symbols.
Finally, let not a central conclusion of the book, that the successive plans for resolving the Cyprus problem (1948-1978), which the author methodically analyzes, as a rule did not take into account the interests of Cyprus itself and the Cypriots, apply to Ukraine.
* Mr. Alexandros P. Mallias is an honorary ambassador.