The dispute between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots is a crucial crisis in Cyprus. According to multiple sources including the BBC and the Crisis Group, the dispute between the parties — stemming from the division of the island in 1974 driven by Turkey’s invasion in the north in response to a military coup that led to the declaration of the independence of Turkish Cypriots in 1983 —has been ongoing for several decades. But relations between the two ethnic groups have soured since 2017. The main point of their contention is the political status of Cyprus. Though the situation is relatively calm now, their dispute remains and keeps the possibility of further tensions and conflicts in the future.
It is pertinent to note that peace negotiations and other efforts have definitely been made to resolve the crisis aiming to promote reconciliation and finding a mutually acceptable solution to the long-standing conflict between the Greek Cypriots who control the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots who have a de facto entity in the north of the island of Cyprus. Peace initiatives such as the Cyprus Reunification Plan and the establishment of a buffer zone known as the Green Line are notable steps. Additionally, confidence-building measures such as cultural exchanges and economic cooperation initiatives are also crucial steps. According to multiple sources, cooperation between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots continues on various matters through twelve joint technical committees.
Despite diverse efforts, a lasting resolution has yet to be achieved in Cyprus. The UN-sponsored reunification step — the Cyprus Reunification Plan — that has the prospect of peacefully solving the dispute has failed persistently. In the recent efforts in 2017, a well-prepared and much-anticipated summit at Crans Montana in Switzerland failed to deliver a deal between the parties. The insistence of the parties on their respective positions makes it difficult to reach solutions. While Turkish Cypriots are interested in the format for any talks that recognize the sovereignty claims of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as equivalent to those of Greek Cypriots, the latter adamantly oppose anything that can lead to the independence of the Turkish Cypriots.
There are also other challenges that hinder the progress towards a lasting resolution to the dispute, driven by ethnic Greek nationalist ideology and the ethnic Turkish peoples’ desire for the partition of the island, which gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964. The complex history, deep-rooted historical animosities and competing nationalistic narratives may put further barriers to a solution. Moreover, and importantly, the interest in peace talks has dwindled between the parties, making the prospect of the reunification of the two Cypriots difficult, at least somewhat. Among others, mistrust between the two ethnic communities and geopolitical complexity can put hindrances to effective peace negotiations and resolution.
It is desired that effective steps be taken to mitigate the dispute and address concerns. The Cyprus Reunification Plan that seeks to resolve the dispute by reunifying the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots may be helpful in resolving the dispute peacefully in Cyprus — a bizonal and bicommunal federation. But putting emphasis on peace negotiations on the plan is vital. Strengthened international steps including the steps of the United States, European Union, Greece and Turkey are crucial for bringing the parties to the discussion table and reaching solutions. But the good intentions of the parties in Cyprus are vital for peaceful resolutions.
The two-state solution as an alternative to the reunification may also help reach a peaceful resolution if the reunification of the two Cypriots remains unachieved. No matter whether the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are reunified or separated, it is beneficial to improve their relations. For this, the two parties also need to discuss some modest goals and confidence-building steps such as unlocking trade and improving intra-island cooperation. Among others, cultural exchange programs also need to be strengthened.
