Devendra Kumar
The European Parliament has expressed its strong support for appointing a United Nations envoy to assess the chances of reviving talks to reunify Cyprus, which has been ethnically divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The invasion, precipitated by a coup aimed at union with Greece, led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and the establishment of a buffer zone between the Turkish Cypriot northern third of the island and the Greek Cypriot south. Turkey, the only country that recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence, maintains a military presence in northern Cyprus, keeping over 35,000 troops stationed in the area.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has made reunification talks with breakaway Turkish Cypriots a focal point of his administration, but previous attempts at a peace deal have ended in failure. The most recent attempt was in the summer of 2017. Christodoulides continues to hold consultations with various stakeholders on the appointment of a UN envoy to facilitate reunification talks. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has emphasized that Europe would never be complete as long as Cyprus remains divided, describing it as “not just a Cyprus question, but it is a European question.”
Metsola made these remarks during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, echoing the 63rd anniversary of Cyprus’ independence from British colonial rule, which was marked by a military parade attended by Metsola. The occasion highlighted the ongoing divisions on the island, with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar emphasizing that there can be no real peace accord unless statehood for the minority Turkish Cypriots is recognized. This position departs from a long-standing agreement that Cyprus would be reunified as a federation composed of Turkish and Greek-speaking zones.
Tatar has stated that any UN envoy could not assist negotiations that would be based on the now invalid premise of a federation and that a settlement could only happen through negotiations between two equal states. The appointment of a UN envoy could potentially lead to a breakthrough in reunification efforts, bringing hope to the long-divided island and soothing tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. The European Parliament’s commitment to resolving the Cyprus issue underscores the importance of the issue for the success of the European Union, and Metsola’s words during her meeting with Guterres emphasized the need for the international community to support the efforts of the two sides.
As Christodoulides continues to consult with stakeholders, the international community is waiting with bated breath to see if the appointment of a UN envoy can bring about a breakthrough in reunification talks. With over 40 years of division and struggle since the Turkish invasion, the people of Cyprus are desperate for a resolution to the conflict and a chance to reunify under one government. Despite previous failures, the European Parliament’s commitment to resolving the Cyprus issue offers a glimmer of hope that a solution may finally be within reach.