Yeniduzen: Negotiations to resume in September with new framework

Yeniduzen columnist Serhat İncirli reports that negotiations on the Cyprus issue will resume in September, picking up from where they left off at Crans-Montana. The UN has prepared a program for these talks, which will be structured in two main packages.

The first package will address security and guarantees, army withdrawal, and political equality, while the second package will focus on territory, property, and issues concerning "foreign residents."

In his report, İncirli revealed that Turkey has agreed to the proposed negotiation framework and is supportive of the "package deal program."  This follows recent communications between Turkish Cypriot "Prime Minister" Unal Ustel and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, which included a message from Ankara to Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to adopt a more conciliatory stance.

Despite initial pessimism, İncirli expressed renewed optimism about the negotiations based on the latest information.  He also noted the success of Pavlos Kontidis, who won a silver medal at the Olympics, emphasizing national pride.

Meanwhile, reports are circulating that rumors suggesting that Ankara will present a different position from the Turkish Cypriot leadership at the upcoming trilateral conference on Cyprus were rejected by the Turkish Cypriot side.

Sources from the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) in Ankara and the occupied territories have denied reports that Ankara will diverge from the views of Turkish Cypriot "President" Ersin Tatar.  These sources affirmed their alignment with Tatar's recent public statements and emphasized that discussions should commence from a new basis focusing on the recognition of sovereign equality.

There is anticipation of diplomatic activity related to the Cyprus issue next month, coinciding with the opening of the new UN work period.  Turkish Cypriot journalist Yusuf Khanli has suggested that after the UN General Assembly in September, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres might call for a trilateral meeting.  Khanli noted that the Special Representative's letter to the Cypriot peoples indicates a readiness for new ideas, including proposals such as confederation or a loose federation within the EU, as alternatives to a two-state solution.

[With information from CNA]