Foreign Minister Emine Çolak’s interview with Germany’s Bild Zeitung online newspaper was published by the newspaper under the title “We want reunification in 2016”. The original full text is as the following:
“After a failed referendum in 2004, there is once again new hope for reunification: the heads of government of both sides, Nikos Anastasiades (69) and Mustafa Akinci (68) are not only almost exactly the same age but they were also both born in the southern city of Limassol. They are pushing the reunification process forward and are winning over doubters on both sides of the border.
BILD spoke to Emine Colak (57), the Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (which is only recognized by Turkey), about this historic opportunity.
BILD: In the past, there was talk of a “window” of opportunity for the reunification of Cyprus. How wide open is this window right now?
Emine Colak: Remarkably wide. This is because currently all involved parties – this means alongside Cyprus also the guarantor powers Greece, Turkey, Great Britain and the EU – share the same interests. What makes this moment special is that the political leaders in power on both sides share a vision and have the necessary political will. Both zones could remain semi-autonomous also in a federal republic. Despite this, the negotiations are not easy. But we are cautiously optimistic.
BILD: Are you to brave enough to say that reunification could happen this year?
Colak: Yes, we want to achieve reunification in 2016. And the chances of this happening are good. There have been delays in the negotiation process, in part caused by the parliamentary elections on the Greek side scheduled for May this year. But they also provide us with an opportunity: if the party of the Greek Cypriot Leader Anastasiades is strengthened by voters then our window of opportunity could become even wider.
BILD: Why has your head of government warned that this might be the “last chance” to reunify to island?
Colak: Our president is worried that future generations of politicians might see things differently. We will never again have a situation where both leaders are born not only on the same side of the island but also very close to each other. But it’s also got to do with the disappointment of 2004 (ed. note: the rejection by the Greek side of the Kofi Annan Plan to reunify the island). There is a natural limit to how often one can give one’s all before choosing a different direction.
BILD: What is the main bone of contention in the negotiation process?
Colak: The issue of property restitution.
BILD: Cyprus has been divided since 1974. You were born in 1958, what are your personal memories of the time before the division?
Colak: Nothing good. When I was five years old, I was forced to flee to England with my family. We became refugees and our neighbours were killed during an attack by Greek-Cypriots. It was traumatic but also an incentive for reconciliation. You see, both sides made mistakes. We can neither ignore the past, nor disown it – but we must look ahead to the future.
BILD: The bigger political picture is significantly less peaceful now than it was in 2004. Does this make the negotiation process more difficult?
Colak: I would rather say that it makes us all more aware of the importance of finding common ground, agreement and solutions that provide more security for all sides. In terms of the position held by the Turkish president and the AKP-government, here we have no complaints. There was support for the reunification process in 2004 and we are seeing this support again now.
BILD: The European Union is in the midst of a deep crisis. In London preparations are being made for a Brexit-referendum. Are your compatriots still attracted by the promise of full-EU membership?
Colak: To be honest, we have also seen a dip in the EU’s popularity. In 2004, this factor still played an important role. Added to this are natural fears, of jumping directly into the cold water. Unlike other countries, we will not have gone through an EU preparation period lasting several years. It will be more of a parachute jump into the EU.
BILD: What makes you optimistic? Where do you see common ground?
Colak: In addition to our Greek and Turkish identities, both sides also identify with being Cypriot. This is something that we all feel when we sit together at a table. This is not some artificial construct, it is a completely natural feeling. When facing all problems we feel that the island belongs to us all, this is where we belong.
BILD: One of the problems between your two sides is the accusation that the Turkish side has allowed Greek churches to fall into neglect. Is there any progress in this area?
Colak: Yes, and on both sides. We are creating opportunities for Christians in the South to visit and pray in churches, some of which have been transformed into mosques. In 20 such cases, this was the first Mass to be held in over 50 years. Muslims in the North are also being given the opportunity to visit mosques in the South. Sadly, a recently renovated mosque in Denia was set on fire. Both sides condemned this act in very strong terms. We also have a very promising channel of inter-religious dialogue between Christians and Muslims, organized by the Swedish Embassy.
BILD: We are having this talk in the seat of the TRNC representation, which is only several hundred meters away from the Brandenburg Gate. And yet no one is expecting a loud firework-fuelled reunification party for Cyprus. In what way is German reunification and the fall of the Berlin Wall an inspiration for you?
Colak: It is an inspiration, on two accounts. First, in Germany too it seemed that the problems were unsolvable, that they were frozen for eternity. Until a window of opportunity opened and brave politicians seized the moment. Secondly, we can see that even the most complicated issues can eventually be resolved. There is a lot that we can learn from Germany – also from the mistakes that were made. The German government has, which I am very grateful for, sent experts to Cyprus with first-hand experience of the reunification process. Of course, disappointments are part of the process. We know that not everything will be perfect. Cyprus will not turn into a fairy tale country overnight.