New Breaking Point in the Process of Resolving the Cyprus Issue

• 11.09.2016, 21:56
•  Europe,  Region,  World

True-news.info

In Switzerland, in the resort town of Mont-Pelerin, negotiations on the reunification of Cyprus started. Reportedly, the talks will last until November 11th. In negotiation process, that take place under the UN mediation, are taking part the president of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akindzhi. On the eve of the talks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, urged them “to do their utmost in order to reach settlement within 2016” and added also that “the prospect of a solution in Cyprus is within their reach.”

Such hopes have been dashed before. Earlier, in 2004, the Greek Cypriot community rejected a peace plan brokered by Ban’s predecessor, Kofi Annan. According to James Ker-Lindsay, a scholar at the London School of Economics and the author of several books on the Cyprus conflict, declared that for that period of time the society was not ready for a deal. Nevertheless, as  for  this period of time, the two leaders  are much more aligned. The question is whether they can bring their communities along with them.

During the negotiation process, for the first time leaders discussed tough security and territorial issues. Recep Tayyip Erdogan's and Mustafa Akıncı's meeting  before the start  of negotiation  process on Saturday evening was not accidental. They discussed the latest developments in reunification talks for Cyprus. They also underlined that the much-awaited talks marked the beginning of a sensitive process for both sides. Besides, both agreed that the dual structure of the society in the island should be under legal guarantee.

Since the late 1970s leaders on both sides have agreed on the principle of ''bi-communal federation'' as the basis for reunification,  but both have different understandings of that term. The disagreements affect key issues including the return of displaced Cypriots and the handling of their property, repatriation of Turkish settlers and demilitarization of the island.

For most Greek Cypriots a new federation means two tightly linked federal units, neither defined mainly in ethnic terms. As for the Turkish Cypriots, a new federation means maintaining control over a strongly autonomous region. As we know, Turkish Cypriots control 36 per cent of the island's area, nevertheless according to the estimation of experts, the proportion will decline between 26 and 29 per cent under any lasting peace deal.