en/gr: Dear Mr.Verheugen...

ΑΠΟΨΗ:

Dear Mr. Verheugen,

When you visit a country under your title as the Vice President of the European Commission, (any country that is, doesn't matter if its an EU member or not), and when your visit has a business aspect to it (is a professional visit) and NOT a personal holiday for pleasure, it would be so much nicer to consider the people's feelings when you open your mouth and speak. If not that, at least respect us, something you don't seem to be doing since 2004, and that statement you made on the Greek Cypriot People.

Don't think for a minute that just because Mr.Papadopoulos has passed away, the Greek Cypriots can so easily forget your kind statement that you were cheated by us (meaning mr.Papadopoulos), when the actual result of the final UN (Anan) plan proposed to the people of Cyprus was not even close to providing basic European rights to all its citizens (Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Latins, Maronits, etc) who today live on the island. So, if "we" -the Greek Cypriots- were "so" clever to cheat you back then, why did we turn down that solution plan at the end? Is it because I really do not want a solution for my home in order for it to be united? Is it because I am very happy that I am a citizen of a divided country? Do you think that I am very happy to see other people (some of them are actually EU citizens) living in the houses and on the land that belongs to my ancestors (see Orhams Case)? Do you think that I would be happy to live on an island united by the Anan plan, where YOU and all EU citizens would be able to buy land and move to Cyprus if you wanted, but I would be limited to that choice just because of my nationality? Do you realize that with the Anan plan, I would be able to move and buy land everywhere in the EU region but not necessarily in my home country because of the UN-Anan-final-solution plan? The same 'limited' and 'not fair' EU rights would be granted to my fellow Trukish Cypriot citizens. They would be able to move anywhere in the EU, live there, buy property and built a life, apart from the southern part of the Anan-plan's-Cyprus-State, because of their nationality as well. Are you one of those who think that the Cypriots as a whole (Greek, Turks and all other people on the island) deserve less rights than the rest of the european citizens?

If you do, please come forward and say so, tell us WHY we should accept and vote for a plan proposed to us as a 'solution' when I would have less BASIC rights than you would. If you do feel that the Cypriot Citizens should accept anything they are being given, just because you think or say so, maybe its time to be clear about that as well...

Why did we really cheat you? Was it because someone or some people -even mr.Papadopoulos back then- promised that the Greeks on the island would vote FOR the UN Anan plan, no matter what the actual final plan would be at the end? Was it because deep down you believed (maybe you still do) that you can manipulate people into deciding what YOU want? And even if someone did say that they would make sure that the people would vote YES to that referendum, WHO ARE THEY to decided the final outcome of the referendum? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU PEOPLE ARE to decide for a people's future and WHY do you think that you could actually have SUCH a power? Why do referendums then? Why hide behind a Democratic mask, when all you stand for at the end of the day is Oligarchy and Fascism? Because I cannot understand WHO could believe anyone promising that they can bring out a result of a referendum, before the referendum is actually held.

Of course there are ways to manipulate the public feeling and the public vote... Of course there are "brain washing strategies" used in marketing, promotion and politics, but if you think that we actually voted NO to that referendum just because mr. Papadopoulos said so, then you are really ignorant... You should be there, in Cyprus, back in the days of April 2004, to see and feel the pulse of the people.

I moved back from London just to vote in the referendum as I considered it VERY important for my country's future. I found upset people, chatting, discussing, being worried on the proposed plan. I realized that people of all ages were worried, no matter what they would vote at the end. I found people who felt that the plan was a compromise of their personal beliefs on freedom and democracy.

On the other side of the "wall", it was not only Turkish Cypriots who actually voted on that referendum. It was also Turkish people, Turkish settlers who were (and still are) illegally living on the island. These people had no right to vote but you just don't care, do you...?! These people were and are not Cypriot citizens. It's as if the Greeks Cypriots had decided to bring Greeks from Creece, to take part in that referendum, in order to alter the result... And I am not talking about Turkish people who are part of Turkish Cypriot Families. I am not talking about those pople who came from Turkey but got married to Turkish Cypriots. I am talking about the rest, who are simple Turkish, voting in a referendum they had no right to. But it seems that this is the Democracy you believe in.

Even the Turkish Cypriots would NATURALLY say YES to that awful plan. They would naturally vote for that plan, not because they are less clever or because they have no-opinion of theirselves. I do respect the Turkish community in Cyprus and have Turkish and Turkish Cypriot friends. But, when you are living in a regime like the Denktash's and Tatal's so called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", living in an embargo, having to travel through Turkey with a Turkish passport to go on vacation, when your University degree is not recognized in the EU because it comes from a 'Turkish Cypriot University' in the occupied part of Cyprus, when you play in a football team that can not compete to other countries' teams just because the state you live in is no recognized, who would not VOTE FOR the Anan plan -or any plan- taking you out of this embargo and into the EU? Who would think of voting against it because of LESS RIGHTS granted to the Cypriots with that solution, when in the first place the right you have been enjoying for years are LESS than those limited rights of the Anan plan?

Would you accept those exceptions from the EU law being included in the constitution of YOUR country mr. Verheugen? Would you be willing to live in a country under the Anan plan's constitution? I think not... simply because you respect yourself too much...

Then why should I?

The Greek Cypriots voted AGAINST that plan, and today, all rightful citizens of the Republic of Cyprus (even the Turkish Cypriots living in the Northern part or abroad) enjoy the EU rights granted to them because of the Republic of Cyprus membership in the EU. Today all rightful citizens of the Republic of Cyprus (and not the Turkish settlers brought in Cyprus as Turkish troops) have a European passport, can live anywhere in the EU area, can work anywhere in the EU area (without ANY restrictions), can buy land and property and houses and built a life ANYWHERE in Cyprus, apart from their own country.

At least this is not because of a UN plan full of european law exceptions and small letters but it is because of the Turkish invasion and occupation.

Maybe, if you read these lines, you will be more careful next time when you open your mouth and make statements about the voting of the Greek Cypriots on the Anan plan or our moral attitude towards you personally.

kappa MYSTA

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ENGLISH:

Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, Gunter Verheugen clearly stated that Cyprus accession to the European Union in 2004, with the Cyprus problem unsolved, was not a mistake. At the same time, Verheugen put an end to a debate caused by a statement he made after the referenda in April 2004 that he was cheated by the Greek Cypriots.

“This belongs to the history, and President Papadopoulos, with whom I had good relationship, is now dead. I think it makes more sense to end this kind of debating”, he said.

Verheugen was speaking at a press conference here yesterday, after a series of meetings he hold with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides.

During the conference he was asked if Cyprus accession to the European Union was a mistake.

“No, it was not. And I have never joined those who say it was a mistake”, he said, adding that the simultaneous Cyprus accession to the EU and solution of the Cyprus problem was the right strategy.

“I believe that the events which came later clearly demonstrated that it is the right strategy. We came really close to find a solution, as you remember, closer than ever”, said the former Commissioner for Enlargement, noting that the bigger stake was not the reunification of Cyprus, but the unification of Europe with the accession of the eastern European countries.

“During these years our first priority was to make sure that Cyprus problem will not be an obstacle for the accession of the 11 other countries. That was the priority number one”, he stressed.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Asked if it was a mistake for the EU to begin negotiations without safeguarding that Turkey will confront and behave as a candidate country, the European Commissioner referred to the Turkey’s stance on the UN-(Αnan)-plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem in 2004.

“I would like to remind you that the government of Turkey in 2004 fully endorsed the plan of the UN, which foresaw a military presence of only 600 troops. It had fully endorsed and the majority of the Turkish Cypriots also endorsed. So I cannot see how we can blame the accession process and the accession negotiation”, he said.

In April 2004, a solution plan presented by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was put to simultaneous referenda. The Turkish Cypriot community voted in favour, while the Greek Cypriot community rejected it as unacceptable due to the fact that it did not meet its main concerns.

Verheugen stressed that the need to find a solution to the Cyprus problem exists, and that “the most promising approach is the approach when the two leaders of both sides are committed to find a solution”.

Referring to his meeting with President Christofias, Verheugen said that they discussed the situation in Cyprus, the efforts to find a solution, issues of mutual concern between Cyprus and the EU and the response of the EU to the global economic crisis.

Verheugen also stressed that Cyprus participation in the EU benefited the country, and this is something, as he said that it can be seen by the fact that Cyprus affected less from the global economic crisis.

Verheugen noted that President Christofias expressed his commitment to the direct negotiation process. “He made it also very clear that the ownership of this process is on the two sides, two parties and two leaders, under the auspices of the United Nations”, he said.

The European official also expressed the strong support of the Commission towards the ongoing process. “I do believe that there has been an opportunity, given the fact, that on both sides you have leaders who want a solution and who understand that the reunification of Cyprus is at the benefit of all people on both sides, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots”, he said and encouraged the leaders of the two communities to continue the efforts for a solution.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since early September last year, aiming at reunifying Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

As regards the meeting with Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Antonis Paschalides, Verheugen said that they discussed a lot of issues, and mainly the issue of tourism, which is the most important industry in Cyprus with huge potentials.

Noting that Cyprus has to confront with countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro, as regards tourism, Verheugen said that the country should upgrade its quality.

“The competition is really strong and that of course requires for Cyprus to develop the product in a way that is based on sustainability and quality”, he said and concluded:

“We totally agree that the future of tourism here in this country is definitely by improving the quality and making Cyprus a place for tourists who have higher ambitions than the others”.

FinancualMirror.com - 16/06/2009 - 10:40

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GREEK:

Συγχωροχάρτι έδωσε στην Τουρκία, και μάλιστα από τη Λευκωσία όπου πραγματοποιεί επίσημη επίσκεψη, ο Αντιπρόεδρος της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής, και Επίτροπος Επιχειρήσεων και Βιομηχανίας, Γκίντερ Φερχόϊγκεν, για τον στρατό κατοχής στην Κύπρο και την ενταξιακή της πορεία στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση.

Εμφανίστηκε προκλητικός, απαντώντας σε ερωτήσεις δημοσιογράφων που αφορούσαν στην Τουρκία, στην ενταξιακή της πορεία και κυρίως στο γεγονός ότι διατηρεί στρατό κατοχής σε ευρωπαϊκό έδαφος, υπενθυμίζοντας το Όχι των Ελληνοκυπρίων και το Ναι της Τουρκίας και των Τουρκοκυπρίων στο δημοψήφισμα του 2004.

Οι αναφορές έγιναν στη συνέντευξη Τύπου, χθες το απόγευμα στο Σπίτι της Ευρώπης, με τον Γκίντερ Φερχόϊγκεν, ούτε λίγο ούτε πολύ, να αφήνει να νοηθεί ότι για το γεγονός ότι εξακολουθεί να υπάρχει τουρκικός κατοχικός στρατός σε ευρωπαϊκό έδαφος ευθύνεται το Όχι των Ελληνοκυπρίων στο δημοψήφισμα.

Δήλωσε επί λέξει: "Θα ήθελα να σας υπενθυμίσω ότι η Κυβέρνηση της Τουρκίας το 2004 στήριξε πλήρως το ειρηνευτικό σχέδιο των Ηνωμένων Εθνών, το οποίο, αν δεν κάνω λάθος, προέβλεπε στρατιωτική παρουσία μόνο εξακοσίων στρατιωτών. Το υποστήριξε πλήρως, όπως το υποστήριξε και η πλειοψηφία των Τουρκοκυπρίων. Οπότε δεν μπορώ να καταλάβω πώς μπορούμε να ενοχοποιήσουμε την ενταξιακή διαδικασία της Τουρκίας."

Ο Γκίντερ Φερχόιγκεν είπε, ακόμα, ότι η κατάσταση στην Κύπρο ήταν πολύ καλά γνωστή όταν η Κύπρος και η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση συναίνεσαν να αρχίσουν οι ενταξιακές διαπραγματεύσεις της Τουρκίας, και ότι ουσιαστικά τίποτα δεν έχει αλλάξει από τότε το οποίο να δικαιολογεί τις φωνές της Κύπρου για την συνεχιζόμενη παρουσία του τουρκικού στρατού κατοχής στο έδαφός της.

Δεν δίστασε, μάλιστα, να χαρακτηρίσει κακή τύχη τον ενταφιασμό του Σχεδίου Ανάν από τους Ελληνοκύπριους, αν και υποστήριξε ότι έστω και υπό αυτές τις συνθήκες, με άλυτο δηλαδή το Κυπριακό πρόβλημα, δεν ήταν λάθος η ένταξη της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση.

Κληθείς να σχολιάσει τη δήλωση στην οποία είχε προβεί το 2004, μετά το δημοψήφισμα, ότι είχε εξαπατηθεί από την ελληνοκυπριακή πλευρά, ο Αντιπρόεδρος της Κομισιόν είπε ότι αυτά ανήκουν στο παρελθόν, ανήκουν στην Ιστορία, κατά την έκφρασή του, και δεν υπάρχει λόγος να αρχίζει αυτή η συζήτηση, αφού πλέον ο Τάσσος Παπαδόπουλος είναι νεκρός.

Νωρίτερα, πάντως, ο Γκίντερ Φερχόϊγκεν, στη συνάντησή του με τον Πρόεδρο της Δημοκρατίας, Δημήτρη Χριστόφια, επισήμανε ότι η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή στηρίζει πλήρως τις προσπάθειες που καταβάλλει στο πλαίσιο των απευθείας διαπραγματεύσεων για την εξεύρεση λύσης του Κυπριακού, και δήλωσε ότι η Κομισιόν τον εμπιστεύεται πλήρως πως θα κάνει ό,τι μπορεί για να βρει λύση σ' αυτό το χρονίζον, όπως το χαρακτήρισε, πρόβλημα.

Σήμερα το πρωί ο Αντιπρόεδρος της Κομισιόν είχε συνάντηση με τα μέλη της Επιτροπής Ευρωπαϊκών Υποθέσεων της Βουλής των Αντιπροσώπων.

ANT1 Κύπρου - 16/06/2009 - 10:40