Vincent Morelli
Section Research Manager
Attempts to resolve the Cyprus problem and reunify the island have undergone various levels of negotiation for over 45 years. Nevertheless, on October 3, 2010, the Republic of Cyprus celebrated 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 former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, attempts to reach an acceptable solution for reunification had failed. Despite predictions by some of difficult times ahead for the negotiations as a result of the elections in the north and by a growing lack of unity among the Greek Cypriot political leadership whose opposition to Christofias’s negotiating strategy had been growing, new talks began on May 26, 2010.
Christofias and Eroglu have met 15 times, focusing entirely on the difficult issue of property rights, an area where both sides have long-held and very different positions. Although the negotiations continue, they appear to have produced little progress and have increasingly exposed differences between the two leaders. In September, Eroglu expressed his frustration with the process and accused the Greek Cypriots of treating Turkish Cypriot positions with contempt. In October it was reported that Eroglu had become so fed up that he may have suggested that Turkish Cypriots no longer believed in the possibility of a mutually agreeable settlement. For his part, Christofias told the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in September that both sides were not coming closer to a settlement. On October 21 Ban apparently called both Christofias and Eroglu to express his concerns over the slow pace of the negotiations and lack of any progress. On November 18, 2010, Christofias and Eroglu traveled to New York to meet with Secretary-General Ban in what appeared to be another inconclusive attempt by the UN to boost momentum for the talks.
On November 24, 2010 UN Secretary-General Ban issued a status report on the progress of the negotiations. The report noted “sluggish activity” and, with important national elections in both Greek Cyprus and Turkey in 2011, expressed concern that the critical window of opportunity [for a settlement] was rapidly closing. Ban proposed another meeting of the three in January that could determine the future role of the U.N. in the negotiating process. Finally, the European Commission introduced a formal regulation proposing direct trade between the EU and Turkish Cyprus. The proposal was rejected by the European Parliament but has not been withdrawn by the Commission. This issue caused considerable problems for the Greek Cypriot side, and the outcome a good deal of disappointment for the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.
The United States Congress continued to maintain its interest in a resolution of the Cyprus issue; lack of a negotiated settlement continues to affect relations between Turkey and the EU, Turkey and Greece, and the EU and NATO. The situation also warrants attention because of the U.S. interest in a strong relationship with Turkey. Congressional interest will likely continue into the 112th Congress as the talks continue.
Date of Report: November 29, 2010
Number of Pages: 19
Order Number: R41136
Price: $29.95
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Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Section Research Manager
Attempts to resolve the Cyprus problem and reunify the island have undergone various levels of negotiation for over 45 years. Nevertheless, on October 3, 2010, the Republic of Cyprus celebrated 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 former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, attempts to reach an acceptable solution for reunification had failed. Despite predictions by some of difficult times ahead for the negotiations as a result of the elections in the north and by a growing lack of unity among the Greek Cypriot political leadership whose opposition to Christofias’s negotiating strategy had been growing, new talks began on May 26, 2010.
Christofias and Eroglu have met 15 times, focusing entirely on the difficult issue of property rights, an area where both sides have long-held and very different positions. Although the negotiations continue, they appear to have produced little progress and have increasingly exposed differences between the two leaders. In September, Eroglu expressed his frustration with the process and accused the Greek Cypriots of treating Turkish Cypriot positions with contempt. In October it was reported that Eroglu had become so fed up that he may have suggested that Turkish Cypriots no longer believed in the possibility of a mutually agreeable settlement. For his part, Christofias told the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in September that both sides were not coming closer to a settlement. On October 21 Ban apparently called both Christofias and Eroglu to express his concerns over the slow pace of the negotiations and lack of any progress. On November 18, 2010, Christofias and Eroglu traveled to New York to meet with Secretary-General Ban in what appeared to be another inconclusive attempt by the UN to boost momentum for the talks.
On November 24, 2010 UN Secretary-General Ban issued a status report on the progress of the negotiations. The report noted “sluggish activity” and, with important national elections in both Greek Cyprus and Turkey in 2011, expressed concern that the critical window of opportunity [for a settlement] was rapidly closing. Ban proposed another meeting of the three in January that could determine the future role of the U.N. in the negotiating process. Finally, the European Commission introduced a formal regulation proposing direct trade between the EU and Turkish Cyprus. The proposal was rejected by the European Parliament but has not been withdrawn by the Commission. This issue caused considerable problems for the Greek Cypriot side, and the outcome a good deal of disappointment for the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.
The United States Congress continued to maintain its interest in a resolution of the Cyprus issue; lack of a negotiated settlement continues to affect relations between Turkey and the EU, Turkey and Greece, and the EU and NATO. The situation also warrants attention because of the U.S. interest in a strong relationship with Turkey. Congressional interest will likely continue into the 112th Congress as the talks continue.
Date of Report: November 29, 2010
Number of Pages: 19
Order Number: R41136
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
