The Cyprus issue is in a quagmire, after Erdoğan's revisionist attempt to resolve it a la turka, i.e. that of two separate states in Cyprus that have equal rights and profits from the extraction of hydrocarbons in the EEZ of the Megalonisos and the strong resistance of the Republic of Cyprus and of the International Community who reminded the Turkish President of the Security Council's decisions on the Cyprus issue, where the only legal and fair solution is a state within the framework of a bi-zonal-bi-communal Federation.
According to the provisions of article 185 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus since its foundation, it is expressly stated:
"The total or partial union of Cyprus with any other state or separate independence is EXCLUDED". Also, article 182 of the Constitution states "fundamental provisions of the Constitution may not be amended by alteration, addition or repeal"
In general, the pseudo-state in the occupied territories is completely illegal since separate independence is excluded from the founding Constitution of Cyprus and therefore any discussion about the plans of Erdogan and Turkey for two states on the island stop there.
The recent visit of the Cypriot President Christodoulides to Germany made news about the Cyprus issue, with the manifestation of Germany's intention to be actively involved diplomatically in the effort to resolve it.
Referring to the issue, a reputable Cypriot International Media in a related article points out:
"It will take great courage to break the deadlock in the Cyprus negotiations," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, questioning whether all sides have the will to do so.
Speaking after a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulidis in Berlin, where he is visiting for the first time as president, Scholz said "I hope to see the negotiations gain new momentum, given the impasse."
He added that Germany fully supports a solution to the Cyprus issue within the framework of a bizonal federation, where each community will be represented in the country's leadership. "We discussed it and we want to help. Germany is ready to contribute so that everyone gains more trust in each other."
The chancellor added that issues in the eastern Mediterranean can be resolved through dialogue based on international law, pointing out that relations between Cyprus and Turkey are of importance to all of Europe.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen their energy and defense cooperation, while also discussing Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
In his own remarks, Christodoulidis welcomed the talks, describing Germany "as one of the most important EU states that can contribute" to efforts that can restart the talks from where they left off in Crans Montana. Now is the time for diplomacy to work, and Germany has an important role to play in that, he added.
Christodoulidis thanked Germany for helping Cyprus to deal with the migration problem, noting that Germany is one of the few EU countries that understands the issue. The talks in Berlin covered bilateral relations, migration and the eastern Mediterranean.
Accompanying Christodoulidis on his trip are the foreign minister, the government representative and the head of the president's diplomatic office.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Christodoulidis stated for the first time publicly that Chancellor Angela Merkel was among those being considered for the post of EU envoy to Cyprus.
Asked about this by DW, Christodoulidis said he has discussed names with the leaders of France and the Netherlands. Of Merkel, he said "of course she is a personality who could play a role, but whether she wants it or whether it would be the choice of the European Union, that remains to be seen."
Whoever the EU envoy is, Christodoulidis added, he should be a political figure who can talk directly with the president of Turkey, as this is key.
Christodoulidis has tabled a proposal for a special EU envoy or mediator for Cyprus to help break the deadlock, but with the talks remaining under UN auspices.
Turkish media referring to the issue claims that the EU has found the key to the transfer of the natural gas discovered in the so-called EEZ of the Greek Cypriot side to the West, in resolving the Cyprus issue and is preparing to use Merkel to reach an agreement with Turkey.
Greek media have claimed that former German Chancellor Angela Merkel will return to the international political arena for a mediating role between the EU and Turkey.
It was reported in the news that Merkel will take on the task of mediating between the European Union, Germany and Turkey and that this diplomatic initiative directly concerns Greece.
It was reported that natural gas deposits that will significantly reduce Europe's energy dependence on Russia have been identified in the so-called exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on the Greek Cypriot side and that Turkey's permission is required to transport natural gas to the West.
It was noted that the "key" to freeing Europe from Russia's energy dependence lies in the resolution of the Cyprus issue. It will be seen in the coming months whether the plans of Berlin and Brussels will be implemented with Merkel's intervention.
However, as diplomatic circles point out, if the Cyprus issue is resolved, it will be easier to find a solution to the Turkish-Greek problem as well.
Let's not forget that there are huge hydrocarbon deposits southwest and southeast of Crete, along with those in Cyprus, Egypt and Israel, which could solve Europe's energy problem for many years to come."
The initiative taken by the EU and especially by Merkel to solve the Cyprus issue is in the right direction, especially at a time when the Turkish economy is bad and the newly elected Erdogan in the Presidency, is in absolute need of hot money.
We would certainly be naive if we believed that Erdogan will slip from his position for two states in Cyprus and the Cyprus issue will be magically resolved.
But what we believe is that the diplomatic effort of the EU will be a first-class opportunity for updating - consolidating the positions of its member states on the Cyprus issue, isolating Turkey even more by being intransigent.
However, there is a risk of an attempt by Ankara to co-exploit Cypriot natural gas in cooperation with the EU and Cyprus, without resolving the Cypriot issue.
