Divided for over 50 years: new peace talks in Cyprus
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen want to relaunch the reunification talks between the Greek-speaking south of the island and the Republic of Northern Cyprus – recognised only by Turkey – which have been on hold since 2017. Von der Leyen has declared the resolution of the conflict a priority for the EU, of which the whole island is a member under international law. What are the chances of success?
Brussels eliminating excuses
Milliyet sees encouraging signs from a Turkish Cypriot perspective:
“Three key steps are fuelling cautious optimism. ... Von der Leyen has emphasised that any solution needs to be compatible with the EU acquis. At first glance, this new emphasis may seem restrictive to Turkish Cypriots. However, a solution compatible with the EU acquis would deprive the Greek side of justification for rejecting an agreement on the grounds that it is 'contrary to EU law'. And instead of [Johannes] Hahn, who has been known for his anti-Turkey stance for the past ten years, von der Leyen has appointed the Italian Commissioner Raffaele Fitto as the Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus – someone Ankara cannot reject outright.”
Further than ever from a solution
The Cyprus Mail is less optimistic:
“[For] more than 50 years the two sides have been unable to agree a settlement in line with UN Security Council resolutions, but now they will be even less likely to reach an agreement as this would also have to be in line with the principles and the legislation of the EU.”
Please take off your rose-tinted glasses
According to Phileleftheros, the new model once again avoids the awkward questions:
“They are now talking about a flexible solution for the Cyprus issue. … Even if we were to achieve a loose federation or confederation, 'effective participation' – in other words, the right of veto – would, of course, have to apply to all decision-making. ... Halima's fairy tales! Which will not have a happy ending: they will not bring about a solution. Because alongside these fanciful notions of a flexible model, serious questions will eventually have to be addressed. For instance, whether we will have our own economic area and a central bank. ... Which territories will be returned. And when the occupying army and its guarantees will finally disappear.”