The position of Cyprus in the political architecture of the Eastern Mediterranean
Cyprus’ geopolitical importance has been both a blessing and a curse. On one hand,
throughout the years, the island has attracted a number of foreign conquerors that
exploited the human capital and the natural resources of this land, thus serving their
expansionist interests in the region. On the other hand, as a crossroad of three continents,
Cyprus soon became an important economic and commercial hubin in the broader region.
This helped Cyprus to recover and cope successfully with the difficulties inherited every
time the occupiers left the island. Unfortunately, however, this two-fold geostrategic role,
in conjunction with the established political balances at given periods of history,
internationally and internally had grave consequences on the economic development of
the island as well as on the social maturity and balance of the Cypriot people as a whole.
We are still paying the price of these consequences with the ongoing occupation of a
large part of our territory by the Turkish troops.
Everything that happens in the world has a direct impact on Cyprus as well. This is also
the case today. The growing expansion of globalisation in all areas produces
consequences that affect all states, as if the entire planet were a small village. The
groundbreaking changes that occurred at the end of the 20th century, leading to the
dissolution of the Soviet Union and of the Socialist States of Eastern Europe were the
prelude to grave difficulties and challenges. The core of the “New World Order” is being
severely revealed during the past years. The first example of what the New World Order
implies was the attack against the people of Yugoslavia, followed by the operation for the
so called “liberation” of Iraq and the recognition of Kosovo, without prior approval of the
United Nations’ Security Council. All these constitute an utter violation of the UN
Charter Treaty and of International Law, while leading to the manipulation of the UN for
selfish, not always state-related interests and to the imposition of the principle
reaffirming that “might makes right”. The absence of a power able to oppose the USA,
clearly manifested during the past years and unfortunately the fact that many European
states express their conformity with American policies, have allowed the USA to act
without any barriers or limitations, attempting to establish new rules of International
Law. They (Americans) seek to legitimize their imperialistic operations in almost all
corners of the world, while putting forward the appalling argument that human rights and
democracy are in danger. The hypocrisy by which they exploit the weakness of states and
peoples who do not have the means to survive on their own, substantially aims at serving
economic, political and geostrategic interests but not exclusively of the USA, as we often
may argue. Unfortunately, the EU has a great share of responsibility as well and it is not
so easily being disoriented by the USA, as many analysts support.
The EU in today’s world of uncontrolled neoliberalism constitutes a new form of
advanced economic integration where capital interests prevail. Is it really by accident that
within the EU unanimous decisions are reached with regard to economic issues while in
issues dealing with Europe’s political integration we have not yet witnessed any tangible
results? It is an illusion for some to believe and support that when so-called political
integration is achieved, the EU will finally become the US’ major source of political
opposition. Advanced political integration will simply facilitate the promotion of antipopulist policies and interests not only within the EU but internationally as well. Today,
states delegate part of their sovereignty to the EU in order for them to become member
states of the Union. Therefore, it becomes more difficult for them to raise any objections,
as they would have prior to accession. All the above-mentioned examples are not
encouraging messages for the future of the human kind. Equally discouraging is the
militarisation of the EU. The messages sent out will only be encouraging when
Europeans work together in order to build the “Europe of the peoples”.
The groundbreaking changes taking place during the last decade of the 20th century have
increased inter-imperialistic rivalries. The struggle for the definition of zones of
influence, the outbreak of various conflicts, the underestimation of the UN, the
revitalization of nationalism and chauvinism, the spread of religious fanatics, and the
expansion of the terrorist phenomenon constitute only some dimensions of these rivalries.
The social, environmental, ecological, cultural and labour scarcity we are facing leads
people to obey the system, which solely offers them some pity and nothing more. The
capitalist system does not have the answer to all of these deadlocks. The only thing it can
do is to offer temporary and periodical solutions that will manipulate and cover up the
ongoing crisis, by the time the next crisis appears. The current deadlocks ask for the
progressive forces of the world to offer an alternative solution and prove that the creation
of another world, of a different one is feasible.
By recognising the difficulties of this one-way path into which a large part of the world is
forced to live today and by expressing our concerns as to how we will escape this
deadlock, Cyprus is asked to make it through and has indeed a very important and
substantial role to play as a EU member-state and as an important actor in the
Mediterranean region, directly influenced by the Arab-Israeli conflicts. Above all, given
the political problem of Cyprus, for the solution of which Turkey’s contribution is
extremely important. Turkey, on behalf of the USA plays the role of the “watchdog” in
the region.
Within the above mentioned worldly conditions, created by the new so-called “World
Order”, we believe that our island has a vital role to play as an EU member, as well as
good neighbour in our region.
In order to materialise the new role as we envisoned it in the area, the Cyprus problem
must be solved. This is the most important parameter so that Cyprus indeed gains a role.
The Plan initiated back in 2004 for the solution of the Cyprus issue, was not considered
to be a balanced and a fair one, as those who created it and those who supported it
argued. Since G/cs had many concerns on their future, those should have been considered
so we could have reach a solution for the mutual benefit of all Cypriots. The philosophy
of our political strategy is to reach a solution, so that everyone can benefit from it and of
course our Country with a new role and more dynamic role in the EU and the region.
That Plan served basic geostrategic interests of the superpower and of the British, while
also satisfying Turkey’s demands. AKEL’s responsible and solemn 80-year history did
not allow us to attach the name of our Part with an unacceptable plan. However, when we
rejected the plan, we stressed that we do not reject the solution of the Cypriot issue as
such, but only that specific solution. We are very well aware of the fact that the solution
of the Cypriot issue is in the best interests not only of Cypriots but of the broader region
as well. However, the fact that the American-British axis wishes to solve the Cyprus
question so as no longer to deal with it, as it is a real headache for them, does not mean
that we can withdraw from the basic principles on which the solution is based. The
Cypriot issue was and remains an international issue of invasion and occupation, of
foreign intervention and abolition of the human rights of all the peoples of Cyprus, G/Cs,
T/Cs, Maronites, Armenians, Latins. We remain consistent in a Bizonal Bilateral
Federation, which constitutes a real compromise. A federation with political equality, as
referred to UN Resolutions on Cyprus, one signle sovereignity, one international
personality. In the framework of these principles Presidents Christofias is negotiating
currently with Mr. Eroglu on the future of Cyprus. We believe that by reaching a solution
Cyprus will only have gains.
Within this framework of international relations of constantly shifting interests and
alliances between countries, as earlier analysed in my speech. Within a world that small
and weak countries struggle for their rights in a reactionary environment˙ We, the
Cypriots, still struggle for our freedom, human rights and of course a future with more
promising perspectives. As long as no slolution is found to the Cyprus problem our
country is bound to a stalemate. Yet, we envisioned a Cyprus of wealth, development,
freedom, cooperation of all communuties living together with security and dignity.
Cyprus indeed can have a position in the architecture of the eastern meditterenean as a
more dynamic EU partner, as a good neigbor in the region, as an example of good
coexistance and cooperation of our people coming from different communities, different
backgrounds. While, G/Cs will be having the chance to exercise their cultural, religious
and other special characteristics, so T/Cs, each in their constituent state.
With our position in these basic principles to be taken as granted, we face with great
flexibility issues that re-establish mutual trust between Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots and lead to the solution of the internal aspect off the Cypriot issue. We believe
to the current process of negotiation as was initiated by President Christofias and we
expect the most out of it for the benefit of Cyprus and its people.
Having the aforementioned as our cornerstone, we are looking forward to move on the
new phase of Cyprus, as a reunited, federal island.
Adamos Adamou MD
Consultant Medical Oncologist
Former Member of the European Parliament
Nicosia 25.09.2010