Cyprus: High hopes

The reunification of Cyprus might move one step closer on Friday, when Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias meets his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat to finalise preparations for the start of fully fledged negotiations.

Since the island was divided in 1974, numerous UN efforts to reunify the two parts have failed, most recently in 2004.  However, both sides now have new leaders who have publicly committed themselves to a lasting settlement.  Within three weeks of Christofias’s election, the two men met and agreed to prepare negotiations under UN auspices.  Talat even suggested that a resolution was possible by the end of the year. In April, the former main commercial street of the capital Nicosia -- Ledra Street – reopened, having for decades been a symbol of division.

A (delayed) meeting between Talat and Christofias was successful in instilling new momentum, and produced an agreement  “in principle on the issues of citizenship and sovereignty in a reunified island”, without giving any details.  On citizenship, the Greek Cypriots are keen to limit the naturalisation of mainland Turks who have settled in the north of the island since 1974. Sovereignty is a key concern for Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, who have demanded that the bizonal, bicommunal federation foreseen in the UN-brokered peace talks is an entirely new creation.  Greek Cypriots argue that it should be a continuation of the Republic of Cyprus, currently recognised by every government except Ankara.

Although Friday’s meeting is supposed to complete the preparation stage for the reunification negotiations, these are unlikely to start before the autumn.  Moreover, the ongoing constitutional crisis between the government and Constitutional Court in Turkey will severely limit Talat’s room for manoeuvre, under the eye of the Turkish military.  While there is room for optimism about a Cypriot settlement, breakthrough in the near future is unlikely.