Envoy crisis in Nicosia

Major overseas posts to represent northern Cyprus are still vacant due to the Turkish Cypriot president's refusal to stamp ambassadorial appointments.

"Appointments are pending. We are on the one side struggling to break international isolation but on the other side we are not represented in major capitals," a senior Turkish Cypriot official, who declined to be named, told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.

The Turkish Cypriot cabinet approved the decree on appointments a long time ago but the document still needs final approval from President Mehmet Ali Talat. No envoy has been appointed to Turkey since the tenure of former ambassador Tamer Gazioğlu expired Aug. 31.

Northern Cyprus was represented by its foreign minister, Turgay Avcı, at a reception given in Ankara on Nov. 15, marking the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Cypriot state.

"The reception held in the heart of Turkey was a very important event for northern Cyprus. The foreign minister had to attend as the position of ambassador remains vacant," said the official. Northern Cyprus is only recognized by Turkey but it has representative offices in various capitals overseas, including in Europe.

"Several events take place in London for example, and we are represented by our press attache there," the official said.

The problem has been attributed to a nuisance between the Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry and the president. Talat was furious when officials from the ministry allegedly leaked selected diplomats' identities to the press before his approval, the Daily News learned.

Talat seeks active role in foreign policy

Talat also wants structural changes to play an active role in ambassadorial appointments, a diplomatic source said. "The relevant law needs to be amended to raise the influence of the president but this is currently off the government's agenda even though the Republican Turks' Party, or CTP, from which Talat was elected president, is the major coalition partner," he added.

If sealed by Talat, Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Namık Korhan is expected to serve as ambassador to Ankara.

Meanwhile, Turkey yesterday opposed the signing of a joint declaration between Greek Cyprus and Russia that came at a time the two Cypriot leaders are negotiating under United Nations auspices for a final settlement to the decades-old problem.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak ?zügergin, in written response to a question, said the deal concluded last month would not help peace talks aimed at reunifying the divided island.

The joint declaration makes reference to a 1996 agreement for military-technical cooperation. The spokesman said the budget allegedly set aside by Greek Cypriots for weaponry acquisitions did not sit well with peace efforts.

"Greek Cypriots pretend to negotiate at the table, but behind closed doors they are doubling efforts to further isolate us," the unnamed Turkish Cypriot official said.