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. Nevertheless, in October 2010 the Republic of Cyprus will celebrate its 50th anniversary as a divided country and with a permanent solution far from being achieved.
On April 18, 2010, Turkish Cypriot voters selected a new leader, Dervis Eroglu of the National Unity Party (UBP) in part due to the fact that after almost two years of intense negotiations between Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, attempts to reach an acceptable solution for reunification had failed. Eroglu, a 72- year-old physician, long-time politician, and a negotiator considered more hard-line than Talat, led a political party that included some who advocated a permanently divided island and international recognition for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Despite predictions of difficult times ahead as a result of the elections in the north, reinforced by a growing lack of unity among the Greek Cypriot political leadership whose opposition to Christofias’ negotiating strategy has grown, new talks began on May 26, 2010. Both Christofias and Eroglu have repeated their desire to reach a solution, although Eroglu has stated that such an agreement must be achieved by the end of 2010 while Christofias has rejected any such timetable. The talks continued through several meetings and three informal dinners over the course of the summer. Several additional meetings, including two all-day sessions have been held in September. The talks have focused almost entirely on the difficult issue of property where both sides have had long held and hugely different positions.
Pressure on both Christofias and Eroglu to achieve significant progress toward an agreement has also come from outside Cyprus. Turkey, facing national elections in early 2011, has called for a settlement by the end of 2010. This Fall, Turkey also faces the next progress report on its EU accession negotiations which, in part, will be influenced by Turkey’s role in trying to promote a Cyprus solution. The United Nations also appears to have adopted the end of 2010 deadline for a settlement and the Secretary-General has indicated that he will issue a status report on the progress of the negotiations in November that could determine the future role of the U.N. in the negotiating process. Finally, the European Commission has introduced a formal regulation regarding direct trade between the EU and Turkish Cyprus that is currently pending before the European Parliament and which has caused considerable problems for the Greek Cypriot side.
The United States Congress has continued to maintain its interest in Cyprus partly due to constituent concern and because the lack of a negotiated settlement continues to effect relations between Turkey and the EU, Turkey and Greece, the EU and NATO, and overall U.S. interests in a strong relationship with Turkey. Hearings could be anticipated on the future of the negotiations as the new round of talks progress.
Date of Report: September 10, 2010
Number of Pages: 18
Order Number: R41136
Price: $29.95
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