We are about to commence discussing the territorial aspect of the Cyprus problem. Before I present the concrete proposals of the Greek Cypriot side in this respect I should state that both these proposals, as well as any proposals on other issues are put forward subject to certain basic principles which are contained in a document (marked Appendix A) that I wish now to put formally on record, so that they should be constantly borne in mind without my having to repeat them all the time.
In presenting the map (marked Appendix B) indicating the Region which we propose to be under Turkish Cypriot Administration I should like first of a1l to stress that this is not by any means a surveyor’s map.
The following points form the basis on which this map was prepared :
(1) The area of the territory to be under Turkish Cypriot administration is 20% of the area of the Republic. This is not an idle figure but a figure proposed in a desire to facilitate a settlement of the territorial aspect of the problem and which we believe meets all the criteria of the guidelines recorded on the I2th February, 1977.
(2) A factor which was also taken into account is the population ratio, which, in any event, does not differ much from the ratio of land ownership.
(3) According to data that cannot be disputed, prepared both under British rule and since Independence, the percentages of land ownership in Cyprus are as follows:
Greeks Turks Others State Land
60.9% 12.3% 0.5% 26.3%
“State Land” includes: communal properties (such as grazing areas), roads rivers, lakes, forests and other state owned lands.
The percentages of privately owned land are as follows:
Greeks Turks Others
82.7% 16.7% 0.6%
It is worthy of note that a comparative study of official records covering a period of more than forty years shows that the above percentages have remained stable with negligible variations.
(4) In an island as small as Cyprus, the economy of which is integrated and the various areas and economic sectors interrelated and interdependent, its economic viability or productivity can only be effectively assured for the country and the people as a whole, as well as for each community separately, if it is not divided into two separate economic entities, but, on the contrary, if the unity of the country is safeguarded, as stated in the guidelines.
(5) The economic viability or productivity of Cyprus should be considered by reference to the economy as a whole, including al1 forms of economic activity and production, and not by reference to any isolated sector, such as agriculture and land utilisation.
(6) Our proposal on the territorial aspect of the Cyprus problem, accompanied by this map, cannot be separated from the three fundamental principles referred to in the guidelines, namely the right to property, the freedom of movement and the freedom of settlement, which naturally includes the right of the refugees to return to their homes and the right of the Turkish Cypriots to reside in the Turkish Cypriot Region, if they so choose. These principles are indispensable prerequisites for any federal State. In fact the term “federal” would be rendered meaningless if such principles were not respected and safeguarded for all the citizens of the Republic throughout its territory, without discrimination.
(7) According to our proposal on the territorial aspect about 120.000 Greek Cypriots will be returning to their homes in the Region under Greek Cypriot administration. Another 50,000 Greek Cypriots will have the option to return to their homes in the Region under Turkish Cypriot administration. Some of them might not wish to return; but, even if they all decided to return, the effective majority of the Turkish Cypriots in the Region under their administration would still be maintained.
Our side is ready, and in fact this is one of the main tasks entrusted to the Interlocutors, to identify any practical difficulties that might result from the implementation of the aforementioned principles and to divise ways and means to overcome them.
APPENDIX A
PRINCIPLES SUBJECT TO WHICH THE PROPOSALS
OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE
FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM ARE MADE
In presenting its proposals on the various aspects of the Cyprus problem the Greek Cypriot, side wishes to state that such proposals-
(a) are inter-related and inter-dependent and should be taken together as a whole with a view to reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem in a “package deal” basis, and
(b) are subject to the following general principles.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
- The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus shall provide for the establishment of a bi-communal federal State, the Federal Republic of Cyprus, which shall be a federation, and shall-
(a) preserve the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus;
(b) ensure that the Federal Republic of Cyprus shall be the sole subject of international law, to the exclusion of its constituent parts:
(c) preserve the unity of the country.
- In the Federal Republic of Cyprus and its constituent parts the fundamental human rights and liberties, as set out in International Conventions ratified by the Republic, shall be safeguarded.
- Particularly, and without prejudice to the generality of the above, for every citizen of the Republic
(a) there shall be a right of free movement throughout the territory of the Republic and freedom of residence in any place in which he may choose to reside;
(b) his life, security and liberty shall be safeguarded and his private and family life shall be respected and his home shall be inviolable;
(c) his right to property shall be respected and safeguarded;
(d) his right to work, practise his profession or carry on his business in any place he chooses shall be assured.
31st March, 1977