Tuesday

19th Mar 2024

Cyprus leaders 'believe' in 2016 solution to division

  • Nikos Anastiades (l) shakes hands with Mustafa Akinci. (Photo: YouTube)

The leaders of the two parts of divided Cyprus gave a message of optimism about the island's reunification talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday (21 January).

The two shared a stage at a panel debate at the conference in the Swiss Alps. At its close they were convinced by the debate's host to shake hands as “a symbolic gesture and photo opportunity”.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Get the EU news that really matters

Instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

“I believe that 2016 could be the year that we end the unacceptable status quo”, said Cypriot president Nikos Anastiades, who leads the Greek part of the island, which is a member state of the European Union and the eurozone.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci leads the northern part of the Mediterranean island, where EU law is suspended until a final settlement is reached. Northern Cyprus is recognised as an independent state only by Turkey.

According to Akinci, negotiations have entered a “crucial phase”.

“I wish to reiterate the strong determination of Turkish Cypriots to reach a settlement based on bi-zonal federation with political equality, as well as European values and principles we all share”, said Akinci.

Cyprus became a divided island in 1974, just fourteen years after it gained independence from the United Kingdom. Following a coup d'etat by the Greek military junta, the Turkish army invaded the island.

In 2004, a peace plan failed after a large majority of Greek Cypriots voted it down in a referendum. As a result, Cyprus entered the EU that year de facto without the Turkish Cypriots.

EU prism

“I am adamant that Europe and the European project holds many of the answers to the puzzle, that is the solution to the Cyprus problem,” said Anastiades.

“Let us not forget that Cyprus is, and will continue to be, a member state of the European Union. We must therefore approach all issues on the negotiating table through the prism of the EU”, the president added.

“A reunited Cyprus needs to be able to effectively participate and constructively facilitate the EU decision-making rather than hinder it”, Anastiades noted, adding that reunification would have “significant ramifications for Europe”.

One such consequence may be in the field of energy. The discovery of offshore gas near the island “will act as a source of peace and cooperation rather than conflict and tension”, according to Akinci.

“United Cyprus will be able to serve as a hub for pipelines, transferring natural gas to European Union, through Cyprus and Turkey, which seems to be the most feasible route”, said Akinci.

“It will also improve the relations between all relevant actors, including EU, Turkey, Greece and the future united Cyprus”, the Turkish Cypriot leader added.

Anastiades said a united Cyprus “can be a decisive factor to achieving energy security for the European Union”.

World Economic Forum event on Cyprus
North Cyprus election renews hopes of peace deal

Independent candidate Mustafa Akinci won a surprise victory to become president of Northern Cyprus on Sunday, in a result that could prove a breakthrough for peace talks on the divided island.

Cyprus asks to make Turkish an EU language

Cyprus has asked the Dutch EU presidency to make Turkish an official EU language, in a “gesture” that could help reunification and improve EU-Turkey relations.

Cyprus in spotlight on Russia money laundering

Cyprus’ failure to go after Russian mafia money in its banks indicates it's paying no more than “lip service” to international money laundering laws, a Dutch MP has said.

'Crucial day' for Cyprus peace talks

Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders end five-days of negotiations in Switzerland that could pave the way for a reunification settlement later this year.

Opinion

How the EU can raise its game in the Middle East

Could the EU repair its reputation and credibility by taking action on Gaza? EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, Spain, Belgium and Ireland, have worked hard to repair the damage, but have faced political headwinds due to internal divisions.

Latest News

  1. Borrell: 'Israel provoking famine', urges more aid access
  2. Europol: Israel-Gaza galvanising Jihadist recruitment in Europe
  3. EU to agree Israeli-settler blacklist, Borrell says
  4. EU ministers keen to use Russian profits for Ukraine ammo
  5. Call to change EIB defence spending rules hits scepticism
  6. Potential legal avenues to prosecute Navalny's killers
  7. EU summit, Gaza, Ukraine, reforms in focus this WEEK
  8. The present and future dystopia of political micro-targeting ads

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersJoin the Nordic Food Systems Takeover at COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersHow women and men are affected differently by climate policy
  3. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  5. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  6. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?

Join EUobserver

EU news that matters

Join us