CYPRUS | Can It Still Be Solved?

Cyprus has become a model of a seemingly unsolvable conflict in international relations. Over the past sixty years, the United Nations has repeatedly attempted to find a bridge between the island’s Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities - but without success. All this has led many observers to increasingly question whether a settlement can be found. So, can Cyprus ever be solved?

Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on conflicts, security, and statehood. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks!

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has become a byword for intractable conflict. Rich in history, the island was settled by Bronze Age Greeks almost 4000 years ago. Since then, it has come under the rule of numerous civilisations - including Egyptians, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders and the Venetians - before being conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1571. This led to the creation of the Turkish Cypriot community. However, in 1878 the Ottomans handed the island to Britain as part of a defence agreement. While this led to Greek Cypriot calls for union with Greece (enosis), these were repeatedly rejected. In 1955, the Greek Cypriots launched a campaign to end British rule and unite with Greece - a campaign that led to Turkish Cypriots calls for Cyprus to be partitions (taksim). Instead, Greece and Turkey reached a compromise and in 1960 the Republic of Cyprus was created. However, the complex power sharing agreement soon collapsed, which led to the creation of a United Nations peacekeeping force, UNFICYP. In 1974 the island was divided when Turkey invaded Cyprus following an attempt by the Greek military government to annex the Island. Since then, efforts to reunite the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation have continued without success. Today, many ask whether Cyprus is now destined to remain forever divided. Or can Cyprus still be solved?

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:49 Cyprus: An Unsolvable Conflict?
1:43 Background to Cyprus
3:03 A Brief History of Cyprus
4:54 The Emergence of the Cyprus Problem, 1960-1974
6:01 Interlude: A Tour of Varosha
6:31 UN Settlement Efforts in Cyprus since 1974
8:06 The Key Issues of Disagreement in Cyprus
10:18 The Obstacles to a Cyprus Settlement
13:15 Can Cyprus Still Be Solved?

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KEYWORDS

#Cyprus #Turkey #Reunification
#InternationalPolitics #CurrentAffairs #InternationalRelations
#TRNC #NorthernCyprus

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[JamesKerLindsay]

For over sixty years, the UN has tried to broker a Cyprus agreement. But what little hope existed for a settlement seems to be finally fading. So, do you still think Cyprus can be solved? And, if reunification isn't possible, then what's the realistic alternative? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and comments below.

[bitsbobs]

I was 8 years old we left all my toys behind thinking I’ll be back in a few days, 48 years later still waiting

[brianraftery]

I know the story of modern Cyprus, however Professor James Ker-Lindsay presents so well and provides such excellent coverage — a compelling discussion that is an absolute pleasure to view. Many thanks PJKL.

[yveb]

This is the best analysis of the situation I have ever heard. To the point, balanced, measured and based in reality. Not afraid to suggest that perhaps, time has simply run out for unification to succeed.

[wesleygiesbrecht]

I would love to see a video discussing how Cyprus was incorporated into the European Union, despite the fractured nature of the island.

[Rjkooljay]

Yay at last a new episode. I was getting tired of watching reruns of Taiwan, Bosnia, Romanian reunification etc 😅

[kostasgiagkou]

I am involved and work in the political-I.R field since I was adolescent, this informative video is undoubtedly correct, summary and unbiased, and maintains viewer's interest. Well done!

[goshlike]

It's a rare thing to see unbiased videos on the Cyprus dispute. Excellent analysis.

[masterfnone]

Hi James,

I am an Englishman, aged 26 who lived in TRNC for 18 months between 2020-2022. I first visited in 2017 and have been there ~5 times for total of ~2 years.

I moved (temporarily, mind) in 2020 as my partner being a Turkish speaking Cypriot, personal circumstances and COVID-19. In turn I ended up living with her family such is the standard Cypriot atittude to hospitality and family life.

I'd like to think I have a good grasp on the events going on in Cyprus. Having been with my partner for 6 years, working in Cyprus and having copious conversations on the Cyprus problem with natives.

Your video here is without the best summary of events I've seen. There was an American documentarian who for me, made a mockery of the Cyprus problem. Alas, you've nailed it on the head.

Thank you for bringing the news and details which unfortunately Cyprus just doesn't manage to get out to the west themselves. I think due to Cyprus' island nature, lack of high quality and unbiased content, there isn't much that gets out.

[bojiccmiso]

Keep doing the detailed source presentation of conflict in other international disputed entities as in this one! Only when knowing both sides arguments can an average viewer learn about it. Cheers from Croatia

[tepsurka]

James, it is so nice hearing you explain conflict either at university or online. Thank you!)

[mariosliquid]

Amazing video, clearly articulated and factually correct. I myself grew up in the South listening to all the history from the perspective of the Greek Cypriots and only after growing up I can see the pains and wants of both sides. My mom was also displaced in 1974 when she was 13 years old which of course sucked. Anyways, both sides have committed atrocities, but there were also many examples of villages with a Christian church next to a mosque, and everyone living in peace. As you said, the Cyprus dispute is not a particularly complex issue (just fragile egos), it just needs the political will to move the needle forward, especially now that there is new data since the Anan plan. For example:

The landscape has changed quite a bit with the ascession of Cyprus into the EU. In my opinion, while Cyprus as a bizonal federation can certainly have political dead-locks, it is now at least in the EU which means both sides will be EU citizens and EU citizen rights come first. If anyone commits a crime, he/she should get the maximum pentalty due to the sensitivity of the situation, and also because it is against an EU citizen.

Turkish Cypriots, with a Cyprus passport (without a Greek or Turkish label) and access to the EU, will essentially have the same rights and have access to the same services. This is important for proper incorporation of the 2 communities and their respective rights. This was not possible before the EU and hence the need for the outdated guarantor system.

Also, since the border opening there are more and more border crossings between the 2 sides. That helps the newer generations get to know each side better. My friends go from the South to the North to spend the day there and save some money because things are cheaper in the North. But I could certaintly see this being Turkish Cypriots coming to the South to get employed or get medical care or have some vacation.

Another thing that could help is pushing joint projects between the 2 sides. School projects, business projects, regional development funds, tax-breaks, joint energy projects, etc.

I hope, that one day, any Cypriot, Greek or Turkish can enjoy stability and prosperity. A common government that represents both sides correctly and under strict EU law would be the best in my opinion. Both sides can get closure and move on!

[marcocolo]

I've been in Cyprus a couple of years ago, and I was amazed by this beautiful island. I really hope the cypriots can find peace without the interference of foreign countries.

[FredoRockwell]

I love it when you travel to the location you are analyzing!

[MrTeniguafez]

The impression I got when I was there a few years ago was that both sides found the status quo largely tolerable. Unlike in Ireland in the 1990's or Israel-Palestine up through today, there's practically no political violence in Cyprus, and Cypriots from both sides can freely cross the border. It just seemed like it wasn't a very pressing issue, and with no "push" factors toward a settlement, it seems like neither side has any real incentive to make any concessions to make one happen. The only factor that's actually pushing towards reunification is Ankara's increasingly hands-on influence in TRNC, which as you pointed out is irking many Turkish Cypriots. North Cyprus has generally been much more politically liberal than Turkey, and the economic incentives of joining Cyprus, an EU member state and successful liberal democracy, are pretty clear over the prospect of being annexed by Turkey, which is an authoritarian regime inching towards international pariah-hood. Even this is slow-going and is unlikely to be a deciding factor in the short-to-medium term, unless Erdogan massively overplays his hand. Which is far from impossible.

[chris-]

Thank you for your video. People can get caught up with which nationality or which side was wrong and who was right. I hope that all nationalities involved have learned that we are all mortal and need to treat each other with a lot more kindness and a lot more respect to each of these cultures and nationalities. The fusion of nationalities and cultures is what make Cyprus so special and so rich in tradition, culture and history. The wounds of conflict will slowly heal when we learn to love each other more. Sometimes with other governments they announce a formal mutual apology. I hope this situation will get better and I hope each side can one day begin to be better friends with each other and have mutual respect.

[nabilalhami]

Welcome back after two weeks of break, Mr James.

[baranergun]

turkish cypriot here, the idea of unification became an abstract idea in the past years, nobody follows the progress or anything regarding on the topic of unification anymore.

[atahanoflu]

as a turk thank you very much for being objective and not taking sides like many western or eastern media. great contetns! i hope to see more.

[FamousMuppet]

The context has considerably changed since 2004 as Turkey sees surrendering the North of Island now an existential threat. This makes a settlement much harder to reach.