Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive

Vincent Morelli
Section Research Manager

Attempts to resolve the Cyprus problem and reunify the island have undergone various levels of negotiation for almost 40 years. Despite a positive and concerted effort over the past 18 months and through more than 60 meetings between Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, and the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to reach some type of acceptable solution, time and politics ran out on both. Prospects for a settlement that would have ended the political division of Cyprus appeared to have reached a stalemate by the end of March 2010 and, as a result of April elections in the north, may now enter a period of retrenchment with possibly more difficult negotiations ahead dominated by harder-line views on both sides. 

On April 18, 2010, Turkish Cypriot leader Talat faced reelection as "president" of northern Cyprus, seeking a new mandate to continue his efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. Talat, consistently trailing in the polls lost to his rival, and Turkish Cypriot "prime minister", Dervis Eroglu of the National Unity Party (UBP). Observers believe Talat's defeat was due to a combination of his failure to secure a settlement of the Cyprus problem after almost two years and his inability to convince the EU and others to help end the economic isolation of the north. 

Eroglu, a 72-year-old physician, and long-time politician, won the election with just over 50% of the vote. During the campaign, Eroglu criticized Talat for what he thought were too many concessions to the Greek side. While doing so, Eroglu insisted that negotiations would continue under his presidency. In his post-election statement, Eroglu apparently told Turkey's NTV television that "no one must think that I will walk away from the negotiating table. The talks process will continue". Eroglu appears to hold a harder-line view towards a negotiated settlement, seeking more autonomy for each community. It was reported that during the campaign he ruled out any Greek Cypriots returning to land held by Turkish Cypriots or Turks. In addition, there are some in his party who have advocated a permanently divided island and international recognition for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). 

For his part, Republic of Cyprus President Christofias had experienced his own internal political difficulties as one of his governing coalition partners, the Socialist Party (EDEK), quit the governing coalition on February 9, 2010, reportedly over disagreements with the President's negotiating strategy. Almost immediately following the EDEK decision, hard-liners in the other coalition partner, the Democratic Party (DIKO), also criticized Christofias for what they considered to be too many concessions to the Turkish Cypriot side. In the end, DIKO voted to remain in the coalition, but the outcome of both votes seemed to indicate that Christofias was no longer guaranteed support for whatever negotiated solution he could have achieved before the elections in the north. 

The United States has long maintained a position of strong support for a negotiated settlement. This has been reaffirmed by the Obama Administration. Many Members of Congress have continued to maintain their interest in Cyprus during the 111th Congress, partly due to keen constituent concern. Hearings could be anticipated on the future of the negotiations in the aftermath of the April elections in northern Cyprus.


Date of Report: April 26, 2010
Number of Pages: 17
Order Number: R41136
Price: $29.95

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