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Cyprus Reunification - The Story So Far

With vital reunification talks scheduled to take place between Northern and Southern Cyprus in June 2008, TheMoveChannel.com provides an overview of the conflict and looks at the positive steps being taken to unite the Island.

History of the conflict

The conflict began 34 years ago in 1974.  Following a period of violence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and an attempted coup d'état aimed at annexing the island to Greece (and sponsored by the Greek military junta of 1967-1974), Turkey invaded Cyprus and proceeded to occupy one-third of the island. This led to the displacement of thousands of Cypriots and the establishment of a separate Turkish Cypriot political entity in the north.

In the aftermath, the internationally recognized state of the Republic of Cyprus claimed sovereignty over 97 per cent of the island and all surrounding waters, with the United Kingdom controlling the remaining three percent. Then, in 1983 the Turkish-held North declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Ultimately, the island became partitioned into four main parts:

- Southern Cyprus: Controlled by the Greek Cypriots of the Republic of Cyprus.

- Northern Cyprus: Controlled by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (recognized only by Turkey).

- The United Nations: controlled Green Line, separating the two opposing factions.

- The UK controlled section: incorporating two Sovereign Base Areas - Akrotiri and Dhekelia - over which the UK retained jurisdiction after Cypriot independence.

Failed attempts at a solution

The prospect of EU enlargement concentrated minds on both sides in the search for a settlement, but over the years, an accord between the two disparate factions remained unattainable. UN-sponsored negotiations continued throughout the years and in  2002 and a peace plan was tabled. Soon afterwards the EU invited Cyprus to become a member. Hopes that the island could join united were dashed when leaders of the Turkish and Greek communities failed to agree to the UN plan by the March 2003 deadline.

In the months that followed, travel restrictions were eased, enabling people to cross the border for the first time in nearly 30 years, raising hopes that progress might be on the way. As EU entry approached, a revised UN reunification plan was put to both communities in twin referendums in April 2004.

The plan was endorsed by Turkish Cypriots (although not by their then leader Rauf Denktash), but overwhelmingly rejected by Greek Cypriots. Because both sides had to approve the proposals, the island remained divided as it joined the EU in May 2004. As a result, EU laws and benefits applied only to the Greek Cypriot community.

More than two years later, hopes of progress were rekindled at UN-sponsored talks between Cypriot President Tassos Papadopolous and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. The two agreed on a series of confidence-building measures, with Turkey having a particular interest in seeing the situation resolved as its own EU aspirations were linked to the island's future.

A new dawn?

Then, on 17 February 2008, Dimitris Christofias of the AKEL - The Progressive Party of The Working People of Cyprus - was elected President of Cyprus, thus marking his party's first electoral victory without being part of a wider coalition and making Cyprus one of only two countries in the world to have a democratically elected communist government. Christofias took over  from Tassos Papadopoulos of the Democratic Party, who had been in office since February 2003.

The election of the pro-unification Christofias raised hopes of the possibility of uniting the economies of the two divided areas of the island, something that has the potential to boost the Turkish Cypriot economy, and by extension, the property market.

Reunification could potentially bring huge investment to the Northern part of the island and facilitate infrastructure improvements that would bring the North up to the standards of the South. The tourism industry would also take off and a safe and the property market would inevitably boom.

Soon after Christofias' election, things began to look up.  At a meeting in Nicosia in March 2008, Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat released a joint statement agreeing to meet up in three months time to negotiate ‘under United Nations auspices. Mr Christofias promised he would ‘do his best to reach an agreed solution for the interest of the Cypriot people, both communities, as quickly as possible".

Mr Talat added that he was aiming for "a comprehensive solution as soon as possible". The leaders also agreed to open a border crossing on Ledra Street in the centre of Nicosia as a ‘symbolic gesture of reconciliation’. At the time, Mr Christofias said: "This opening is very welcome. By tradition it is the heart of Nicosia, the heart of the people of Nicosia. It will bring further communication with people in order to reduce the gap in the soul and heart of the people".

Nicosia's Greek Mayor Eleni Mavrou was equally enthusiastic: “I am hopeful that the street will be reopened by the end of the month. Technical work will begin on Monday and I'm optimistic that the crossing at Ledra Street will open by March 31”.

The Ledra Gate was the sixth crossing point opened since April 2003 when Turkish Cypriots for the first time lifted entry restrictions for Greek Cypriots. The barricades were among the first erected after intercommunal violence flared in the city in 1963. At the start of 1964, UN peacekeeping troops arrived on the island and have remained ever since.

More positive signs

There was more positive news when Mr Talat attended a meeting of the Center for Eurasian Strategic Studies (ASAM) in April 2008. At the meeting, Mr Talat reiterated the importance of reunification talks: “Preparatory talks between the representatives of both sides are underway, and negotiations will start in late June.

Mr Talat added that talks with Mr Christofias were 'proceeding on a good path', adding that it was 'too early to say that the current positive course in the wake of the presidential elections in the [Greek Cyprus] will lead us to a solution'. Mr Talat also emphasized the need for ‘equality between states’ and argued that that a viable and comprehensive solution ‘should be based on parameters set by the United Nations’, as such parameters could not be disputed.

Talat went on to state that the nature of the talks would become clear when tougher issues such as property and shared political rights will be put on the table: “The Turkish Cypriot leadership has the political will for a solution to the Cyprus problem a possible solution will dissipate ambiguities of the future, and dispel the worries of the Greek Cypriots", he said, indicationg that any solution would 'rid Turkey of its serious obstacle to the EU membership negotiations”.

In May 2008, Mr Talat again spoke of his hopes for Cyprus re-unification, enthusing that there had ‘never been so much chance for solution’. He did, however, add that the he expected the toughest issues during the unification talks to be land and property. "It is a very complex problem”, he said. “30 to 40 years have passed, the properties changed owners many times. Besides both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are very sensitive about this issue. Therefore it is a tough issue”

Mr Talat was looking forward to reunification talks, and lauded the 'positive atmosphere' that came along with the election of Christofias as leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, adding that 'the enlivening of social relations will be reflected in the talks”.

A real possibility of reunification?

Joan Ryan, Britain’s Special Representative to Cyprus was equally enthusiastic about the possibility of the successful reunification talks.  On a visit to the Island at the end of April 2008, Ms Ryan spoke of a ‘real possibility that new peace talks could lead to reunification after more than three decades of ethnic division’.

She emphasised the the current negotiations provided the best opportunity for a solution in many years, stating that the talks were "an opportunity that must not be missed". From her meetings with Mr Talat and Mr Christofias, Ms Ryan was convinced the leaders of Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities were ‘committed to reaching an agreement’.

Ms Ryan acknowledged that there would be difficulties, but indicated that she was ‘impressed with the integrity of the leaders' commitment’, adding that ‘with that kind of commitment and the desire of the people of Cyprus, the way forward is a real possibility now."

She also applauded the opening of the Ledra Street crossing - a highly symbolic crossing point in Nicosia's mediaeval center - as proof that problems can be solved, saying: "It's amazing the impact that confidence-building measure had. The real lesson is that when there are difficulties, they can be overcome."

Mr Talat and Mr Christofias will meet on May 23 to review progress and prepare for negotiations for a solution to the conflict which has divided the island for 34 years. Proper negotiations will then begin in June if none of the two parties in the divided island withdraw.

Jaimie Kanwar

 *This article will be updated as and when new developments occur.