Nicosia: Behind the decision by Serbian company EXIT to withdraw from the music festival in the Turkish occupied areas was a systematic and discreet diplomatic effort by the Republic of Cyprus, aimed at preventing the exploitation of an international event in occupied Kyrenia, government sources told the Cyprus News Agency.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the decision by EXIT followed a systematic and discreet diplomatic effort by the Republic of Cyprus, aimed at preventing the exploitation of an international event in occupied Kyrenia. Even more importantly, these contacts have now opened up the possibility of the event itself being relocated to the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus, it was noted.
From the outset, according to the same sources, efforts focused on highlighting the problematic nature of holding an international event in occupied Kyrenia, given that it could be exploited by the occupying regime. EXIT's decision to withdraw constitutes a substantive outcome of these efforts, it was stressed. It was also noted that particular importance should be attached to the fact that the company itself, as stated in its announcement and as a result of the contacts that took place, now appears to have a much clearer understanding of the historical and political reality in Cyprus and of the particular significance of occupied Kyrenia.
Of even greater interest is the intention expressed by company representatives to explore the possibility of relocating the event and holding it in the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus, it was noted. This, the same sources said, is a characteristic example of what targeted diplomacy can achieve when pursued with persistence, discretion and a clear objective.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. Mara Angela Holgun, Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.