24 April 2008: Throughout the centuries the Mediterranean island of Cyprus was known as the birthplace of Venus (Aphrodite), the mythological goddess of love. In recent decades it has also been a popular tourist destination combining sunshine, sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters. At the same time, however, it has also been a flashing point on the world political scene, attracting considerable attention, and occasionally making headlines as a place of arms and flare ups. Since May 2004, when it became a member of the EU, the Cyprus problem is also increasingly becoming a source of concern in Brussels. While the EU is trying to cope with its own challenges of expansion, on the issue of Cyprus agony and expectations have been growing as more and more views are converging that time is running out for the reunification of the island.

But a wind of change is blowing as of lately. Since the election of Demetris Christofias, the leader of the left wing AKEL party, to the presidency of Cyprus last February, momentum is building. Cyprus is becoming again a flashing point, but the light is green, not red, this time.  Hopes, optimism, movement and hard work are the words best describing what is happening on Cyprus the last couple of months.  

Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat wasted no time in getting together and setting a result-oriented agenda of action. On March 21 they met in a cordial atmosphere and decided to start full-fledged negotiations for a comprehensive settlement. In less than a month, working groups and technical committees were set up and got down to business. Ledra street (Locmaci), a central business street in Nicosia that connects the divided capital, which was closed for 44 years, opened again and reunited the broken heart of the last divided capital in the world. 

Diplomats and special envoys in New York, Brussels, and the triangle of Ankara-Athens-Nicosia are trying to keep up with the quick pace of unfolding developments which, to a great extent, are shaped by Cypriots themselves this time. In April, the UN General-Secretary Ban-Ki Moon’s Deputy for Political Affairs, Lynn Pascoe, after visiting the region, submitted an “extremely positive” report to the SC, praised the parties involved and confirmed that Turkey will provide strong support in resolving the Cyprus issue. The UN Security Council expressed its satisfaction over recent developments while reconfirming its support for the reunification of the island as a bizonal bicommunal federation. Things are moving and hopes are running high. Cyprus is in a political tailwind. We keep our fingers crossed.

Passed failures and new prospects

Several attempts for a solution were made in the past by the UN, or in the name of the UN, but all of them failed. The most recent one, which lasted four years, culminated in the submission of a comprehensive plan for a settlement—known as the Kofi Annan Plan. It ended in failure just a week before the island became a member of the EU in 2004.

The United Nations in cooperation with the European Union, the United States, and Britain played a role in helping the Cypriots shape the Annan Plan, named after the then Secretary-General. The Secretary-General finalized the Plan during a hasty conference in Switzerland, in March 2004. In finalizing the Plan, he used his discretion “to fill in the blanks” and complete the text on issues that the two sides failed to reach an agreement. In a way, the Plan was not exactly and fully the result of negotiations, but rather a compromise on vital issues reflecting an urgency to overcome long-standing deadlocks and settle the problem a few days before Cyprus’s accession to the EU. The idea was for accession and settlement to occur simultaneously; a novel idea that was killed by last minute hasty moves end excessive zeal.

That was a mistake nobody wants to repeat as there is no room for more failures. Today the general feeling is that the dilemma for Cyprus is real and the stakes are high. The current effort may very well lead to a “make it or break it” option. There is no place or time for gimmicks, false alarms, or hidden agendas. It can be either now or never. No one else realizes that better than the Cypriots themselves who seem determined to take their destiny in their own hands. This came out clear and loud from the March Christofias-Talat meeting where the two leaders agreed “in taking full responsibility for the conduct of future negotiations.”

The memories of the referenda on the Annan Plan are still fresh and the lessons learned can be useful. The majority of the Greek Cypriots (75.83%) voted no and the majority of the Turkish Cypriots (64.91%) voted yes. Apparently the majority of the Greek Cypriots believed that the Plan was neither fair nor functional. Especially the provisions on security, the Turkish settlers, the slow withdrawal of the Turkish army, the exchange of properties, and the return of refugees made the Greek Cypriot voters especially unhappy. There were also serious questions about the implementation and viability of the Plan, which created feelings of uncertainty and insecurity.

The failure of the Annan Plan, the accession of Cyprus to the EU, and the commencement of accession negotiations between Turkey and the EU in 2005 have created a new political setting. The Greek Cypriots joined the EU, but lost some of the international support they enjoyed for decades. The Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, on the other hand, gained some political benefits but they cannot last for ever. Turkey, which is aspiring to join the European club needs and deserves the benefits of a settlement on Cyprus.

The EU as a neutral and promising actor

The current negotiations are conducted under the auspices of the UN but the EU, which also favors a settlement that will reunite the island, can play an especially constructive role. Above all, it is the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots who are faced with a unique challenge and a golden opportunity to resolve their differences, reunite their island, and take advantage of the European integration process that can offer them the security and stability they have been longing for. Such a solution will, of course, guarantee the civil, political, economic, and cultural rights of all Cypriots without any restriction or discrimination. The security of all Cypriots in each and every respect—and not only in military terms—must also be guaranteed through institutionalized arrangements that go beyond Cyprus and beyond Greece and Turkey. The European context appears to be a promising one in that respect.

The institutions, legal order, principles and policies of the EU—the acquis communautaire—can provide a conducive framework (and more) in the search for a much needed solution on Cyprus. European integration has, for half a century, been good in bringing states and peoples together under conditions of interdependence and peaceful co-existence. The dynamics of the Single Market and the Economic and Monetary Union have taken over in strengthening the conditions for peace. With the free movement of people, goods, services and capital, old-fashion conflicts and flare-ups are becoming unthinkable in Europe. Now it is time for Cyprus to join the integration “process of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe” and benefit from the peace dividend of the new integrated and peaceful European order.

The EU in a way is a conducive and neutral ground where the concerns of all Cypriots can be better understood, addressed, and resolved. The “re-entry” of the Turkish Cypriots into a common Cypriot state and their entry into the EU will break their isolation and provide prosperity, political stability, and security. This European prospect and context of unification and integrative dynamics can be good and promising for all Cypriots as it has been for all the member-states and peoples of the EU.

As for Greece and Turkey, they will also benefit greatly from a settlement on Cyprus.  Turkey, in particular, with a solution on Cyprus and the withdrawal of its army from the island will improve its European stature and be in a better position to talk with and be understood by the Europeans. By getting rid of the Cyprus problem, Turkey can expect major political benefits from Europe. It can also be argued that a settlement on Cyprus can have a catalytic effect on Greek-Turkish relations and generate a momentum for addressing other bilateral issues.

Politicians with the right political idiosyncrasy

A settlement on Cyprus is as urgent as it can be beneficial. It has the potential of producing only winners and benefiting all parties involved in the island or concerned over peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. An open mind, a positive predisposition and a genuine devotion to the consensual politics of accommodation can be a good starting point. The news and signals coming out of Nicosia the last few weeks are good. Christofias and Talat seem to be ready to rise to the occasion and seize the moment. They have the right political idiosyncrasy and a positive attitude. They are open minded and forward looking politicians who can write history which the next generation of Cypriots can read with pride.

Dr. Joseph S. Joseph is Professor of International Relations and Jean Monnet Chair in European Foreign and Security Policy at the University of Cyprus.