The Cyprus Problem
I’m often asked about the Cyprus Problem and what is the current situation by friends and colleagues during my travels, and my usual answer is “It’s complicated“. So I’ve decided to flesh this out a little here and provide a critical, yet short summary of this long-standing dispute in my home country.
Image Credit: www.yorgos-stavrinos.com/
Background: The tiny island of Cyprus, located in the eastern Mediterranean, has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between its Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. The conflict dates back to the 1960s (and maybe even earlier), when Cyprus gained its independence from Britain, and has been characterized by violence, military intervention, and failed attempts at reunification with Greece.
The root causes of the Cyprus problem, the positions of the parties involved, and the international context of the conflict are complex. Let’s try and simplify.
History: At the heart of the Cyprus problem is the question of identity and sovereignty. The island has a complex history, with Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and British influences shaping its culture and politics. The majority of the population is Greek Cypriot, with a significant minority of Turkish Cypriots. In 1960, Cyprus gained independence from Britain under a power-sharing agreement between the two communities, with the Greek Cypriots taking the presidency and the Turkish Cypriots the vice-presidency. However, tensions quickly arose over the distribution of power and the status of the Turkish Cypriot minority.
In 1974, a coup led by Greek Cypriot nationalists and supported by the Greek military prompted Turkey to intervene militarily in the northern part of the island, which led to the displacement of thousands of Turkish Cypriots. Since then, Cyprus has been divided into two separate entities: the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus in the south, and the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the north, recognized only by Turkey.
Political stagnation: The positions of the parties involved in the Cyprus problem are deeply entrenched and often at odds with each other. The Greek Cypriot side argues that the Turkish military presence on the island is illegal and that the northern part of Cyprus is occupied territory. They also claim that the Turkish Cypriot minority enjoys disproportionate political and economic benefits, and that reunification should be based on the principles of democracy and human rights.
On the other hand, the Turkish Cypriot side claims that they have been marginalized and discriminated against by the Greek Cypriot majority, and that their security and political rights can only be ensured through a separate state. They also argue that the 2004 UN-backed Annan Plan for reunification, which was supported by the Turkish Cypriots but rejected by the Greek Cypriots, was a fair and viable solution that could have prevented the current stalemate.
Foreign interests: The international context of the Cyprus problem is complex and multi-layered. The United Nations has been involved in the conflict since the 1960s and has supported various initiatives to find a lasting solution. The European Union, which Cyprus joined in 2004, has also played a significant role in the conflict, as the dispute affects the security and stability of the wider region. Cyprus also serves many other foreign interests ranging from Russian money laundering, UK military bases, and links with the middle east. The EU has offered financial and political incentives to both sides to encourage a settlement, but progress has been slow.
Turkey, which has the largest military presence on the island, has been a key player in the Cyprus problem. It sees the issue as a matter of national security and has repeatedly called for a two-state solution. However, its actions, such as drilling for gas in disputed waters and supporting the Turkish Cypriot leadership, have been criticized by the international community.
A Solution?: Despite the challenges, there have been some positive developments in recent years. The leaders of the two communities have engaged in dialogue and have taken small steps towards building trust and cooperation. The United Nations has also launched a new round of talks aimed at finding a comprehensive settlement that would reunify the island and address the concerns of both sides.
Will this problem ever be resolved?
What does a solution even look like?
Or have we already solved the problem but have not yet realized it?
Famagusta bay https://goo.gl/maps/6VAgEy9j9G6WyrWa6
I often visit the north of Cyprus. I love its magnificent nature, its diverse culture and cuisine, and of course its people - my fellow Cypriots. Sadly, the complexity of the political situation, and my family’s history as refugees from the occupied city of Famagusta always leaves me with a bitter aftertaste and an unexplained nostalgia for a dream that never was.