In Nicosia, Cyprus, a meeting between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish speaking communities made headway in fostering mutual trust, with commitments to assess the threats posed by minefields and collaborate on environmental projects. Despite these advancements, substantial obstacles remain before stalled peace negotiations can resume, as both leaders highlighted ongoing disagreements regarding their visions for a peace agreement.
Following a United Nations-facilitated meeting, Ersin Tatar, the leader of the self-declared Turkish Cypriot state, and Nikos Christodoulides, the Greek Cypriot President, announced intentions to restore neglected cemeteries and establish a youth group from both communities to tackle issues pertinent to them. These actions mirror those discussed in a recent meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Geneva, aimed at revitalizing a peace process that has been dormant for nearly eight years. Guterres plans to appoint an envoy to encourage the resumption of formal peace talks.
Cyprus has been partitioned since 1974 when Turkey occupied the island’s northern territory in response to a failed coup aiming to align with Greece. The Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence is recognized only by Turkey, which maintains over 35,000 troops in the region. Despite Cyprus joining the EU in 2004, full membership benefits extend only to the internationally recognized government in the Greek Cypriot south.
During the Wednesday meeting, no consensus was reached on two significant trust-building proposals: establishing solar energy parks within sections of the extensive U.N. buffer zone and increasing the nine existing crossing points along the island’s division line. Tatar expressed optimism that progress will be made in due course, stating, “My friend Nikos, he’s got his own principles, I want our principles. What is important is to exchange and be positive so that we can achieve things together.”
Christodoulides suggested that Tatar might be leveraging the solar energy park issue to forward his vision of a divided Cyprus. Plans are for the leaders to convene again later this month. The leaders’ dialogues reflect deep divisions between their respective visions for a future peace settlement.
Tatar, supported by Turkey, views a two-state solution as the only viable resolution to one of the world’s most persistent conflicts, asserting that the decades-old idea of a bi-zonal federation is obsolete. On the other hand, Greek Cypriots deem any solution that solidifies the island’s division as unacceptable, citing longstanding U.N. resolutions that endorse a federation. They also oppose Turkish demands for a lasting troop presence, military intervention rights, and veto power for Turkish Cypriots over federal government decisions.