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. On October 3, 2010, after almost two years of intense negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, attempts to reach an acceptable solution for reunification had failed and the Republic of Cyprus celebrated its 50th anniversary as a divided country with a permanent solution far from being achieved.
Entering December 2010 Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu had held 15 negotiating sessions focusing entirely on the difficult issue of property rights, an area where both sides have long-held and very different positions. The talks were then suspended as Eroglu had to undergo heart surgery in Ankara. The next session is scheduled for January 12, 2011. Although the negotiations have continued, they appear to have produced little progress and have increasingly exposed differences between the two leaders. In October 2010 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 2010 that both sides were not coming closer to a settlement. 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 U.N. to boost momentum for the talks.
On November 24, 2010, 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 late January and asked that at that meeting both sides report what progress they had achieved in all areas of negotiation and to present a plan to achieve a final solution. Some believe the outcome of this meeting could determine the future role of the U.N. in the negotiating process.
Tensions began to rise on the island during the final days of December 2010. On December 21 following a basketball match between Greek and Turkish Cypriot teams, a large group of Greek Cypriots tried to attack the Turkish Cypriot team, which had to be escorted from the stadium and remained overnight in Greek Cyprus under heavy guard. This prompted political condemnation from both Turkish Cypriots and Ankara. On December 25, Turkish Cypriot police interrupted and forced the cancellation of a Greek Cypriot Christmas mass in Karpass prompting calls of human and religious rights violations against the Turkish Cypriots. On December 28, Turkey declared 2011 the “Year of Northern Cyprus” raising questions about Turkey’s commitment to a political settlement. In his January 1, 2011, New Year’s address to the nation, President Christofias accused Turkey of not making any effort to promote a solution to the Cyprus issue.
The United States Congress continues 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 throughout the 112th Congress as the talks continue.
Date of Report: January 5, 2011
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. On October 3, 2010, after almost two years of intense negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, attempts to reach an acceptable solution for reunification had failed and the Republic of Cyprus celebrated its 50th anniversary as a divided country with a permanent solution far from being achieved.
Entering December 2010 Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu had held 15 negotiating sessions focusing entirely on the difficult issue of property rights, an area where both sides have long-held and very different positions. The talks were then suspended as Eroglu had to undergo heart surgery in Ankara. The next session is scheduled for January 12, 2011. Although the negotiations have continued, they appear to have produced little progress and have increasingly exposed differences between the two leaders. In October 2010 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 2010 that both sides were not coming closer to a settlement. 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 U.N. to boost momentum for the talks.
On November 24, 2010, 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 late January and asked that at that meeting both sides report what progress they had achieved in all areas of negotiation and to present a plan to achieve a final solution. Some believe the outcome of this meeting could determine the future role of the U.N. in the negotiating process.
Tensions began to rise on the island during the final days of December 2010. On December 21 following a basketball match between Greek and Turkish Cypriot teams, a large group of Greek Cypriots tried to attack the Turkish Cypriot team, which had to be escorted from the stadium and remained overnight in Greek Cyprus under heavy guard. This prompted political condemnation from both Turkish Cypriots and Ankara. On December 25, Turkish Cypriot police interrupted and forced the cancellation of a Greek Cypriot Christmas mass in Karpass prompting calls of human and religious rights violations against the Turkish Cypriots. On December 28, Turkey declared 2011 the “Year of Northern Cyprus” raising questions about Turkey’s commitment to a political settlement. In his January 1, 2011, New Year’s address to the nation, President Christofias accused Turkey of not making any effort to promote a solution to the Cyprus issue.
The United States Congress continues 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 throughout the 112th Congress as the talks continue.
Date of Report: January 5, 2011
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.
