Baykallı: Guterres Aims to Pave the Way for a New 5+1 Summit

Speaking on Sabahın Haberleri on Kıbrıs Postası TV, Baykallı described the visit as an important diplomatic initiative that could open the door to a new phase in the Cyprus negotiations.

He said the Cyprus issue continues to have a direct impact on key sectors including the economy, higher education and international relations, adding that the main expectation from Guterres' visit is not a comprehensive solution but the creation of conditions for a new 5+1 summit.

'Many Key Sectors Are Being Undermined by the Cyprus Issue'

Baykallı said the Cyprus problem is affecting almost every aspect of life in northern Cyprus.

"Our core economic sectors – tourism, construction, higher education and trade – are all under serious pressure, and all of them are suffering because of issues related to the Cyprus problem," he said.

He argued that the arrest of a Turkish Cypriot over transactions involving exchange property demonstrated that every TRNC citizen was being treated as a potential criminal, describing it as another consequence of the unresolved Cyprus issue.

Baykallı also said the international fallout from recent diploma scandals in the higher education sector reflected the broader political problem and carried significant social implications.

'Guterres Wants to Open the Door to a Summit Involving the Guarantor Powers'

Referring to widespread speculation surrounding Guterres' visit, Baykallı said he fully agreed with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman's assessment that people should neither assume everything had already been agreed nor dismiss the visit as insignificant.

He said he closely follows the Greek Cypriot media and maintains contacts with political parties in the south, where expectations surrounding Guterres' visit have also generated considerable speculation.

According to Baykallı, terms such as "Guterres Plus" and references to a "third high-level summit" have been widely discussed in the Greek Cypriot community, creating confusion.

He said he believes Guterres' main objective is to pave the way for a summit involving both sides and the guarantor states.

'This Could Open the Door to a New Crans-Montana-Type Process'

Baykallı said Guterres' objective extends beyond simply organising another meeting.

"A summit of this kind could pave the way for subsequent stages, perhaps even a process similar to Crans-Montana," he said.

He explained that preparations for a new 5+1 meeting involve two parallel tracks: establishing common ground on the issues to be discussed and, if agreement is reached on holding the summit, further work to clarify the framework before it takes place.

'A Transitional Phase Is Likely Needed'

Baykallı said there is growing public discussion about the possibility of a transitional period before comprehensive negotiations resume.

He noted that different scenarios are being discussed, including one in which agreements would be implemented before being put to a referendum, and another centred on confidence-building measures before substantive negotiations begin.

"I believe a transitional phase is genuinely necessary," he said, while stressing that both scenarios remain speculative and that the details are unlikely to be determined before a new 5+1 meeting.

'No Settlement Plan Will Emerge From This Visit'

Baykallı stressed that expectations should remain realistic.

"The Secretary-General's presence here is extremely important. He is in contact with all the relevant capitals, but no settlement plan will emerge from this visit, nor will there be a blueprint for one," he said.

"The best possible outcome would be an agreement to hold a 5+1 meeting in the coming months and clarity on how that meeting will be structured."

He added that confidence-building measures could also emerge from the talks, but said the broader process would continue even if no such agreements are reached.

Baykallı also said debates over whether the eventual settlement should be based on a federal model or a two-state solution are not expected to be part of Guterres' current visit.

Finally, he argued that there is a silent majority in the Greek Cypriot community that supports a settlement, but said many remain convinced that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side would never agree to one.

"We are not yet at the stage where people in the south will be mobilised or where we can say, 'Yes, this is the plan,'" he said.