Cyprus Peace and Reunification on Shaky Ground
Turkish Nationalist Victory in Northern Cyprus Creates Unease
Apr 21, 2009
Prospects for the peaceful coexistence of the island´s Greek and Turkish communities, or even their full reunification, are in doubt after the recent electoral victory of a hard-line nationalist political party in Turkish controlled Northern Cyprus. After elections held on Sunday, April 19, 2009; the National Unity Party (UBP), a right-wing Turkish group led by Dervis Eroglu, won 26 of the 50 seats available in the Turkish Cypriot assembly.
Turkey´s Prime Minister publicly warned the new nationalist leadership against any attempt to disrupt the talks. He told reporters that: “It would be very wrong for the new government to end the negotiations or to continue the negotiations on a basis different than the one that has been followed so far”. For his part, the leader of the Republic of Cyprus (the island´s Greek community), Demetris Christofias, spoke positively about the renewed talks and reassured reporters that the election results will not affect Greek Cypriot efforts towards peace and reunification.
Division between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots
Cyprus was originally part of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires; therefore, it has been claimed by both Greece and Turkey as part of their traditional territory. However, administration of the island was gained by the British Empire in 1878, following the Russo-Turkish war. The island eventually gained its independence from Britain in 1960, and tensions between its Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority soon erupted. In 1974, after an attempt by Greece to take control of Cyprus; Turkey occupied the island´s northern third, and declared it an independent republic (it was never internationally recognized).
The Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union (EU) in 2004, causing renewed friction with Turkey and Turkish Cypriots. Cyprus´s unresolved division means that the EU´s common rights and laws extend only to areas under official government control and not to those under the Turkish Cypriot administration. Moreover, a continuing trade embargo against the north has exacerbated this area´s economic stagnation and international isolation. For this reason many analysts believe that it is in the best interests of the Turkish Cypriot community to continue participating in peace and reunification talks.
Political Choice between the European Union and Turkey
A United Nations plan for reunification had been accepted by Turkish Cypriots but rejected by Greek Cypriots in 2004. After a sharp political shift in 2008, the Greek Cypriot leadership agreed to participate in peace and reunification talks in order to achieve a unified Cypriot EU membership. Furthermore, the Republic of Cyprus has vowed to block Turkey’s European Union membership efforts until reunification is achieved.
On the other side of the issue, the newly elected leadership of Turkish Northern Cyprus is advocating for a two-state solution and calls for international recognition of the Turkish Cypriot state. They also seek integration with Turkey rather than a unified Cypriot EU membership. Many observers are now concerned that this resurgent political discourse within the Turkish Cypriot community will adversely affect the ongoing peace and reunification talks.
 |
