What Next for Cyprus? | Interview

For sixty years, the United Nations has been trying to find a comprehensive political settlement between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. But while there have been many high-level initiatives, most recently in 2017, they have failed to reach a final agreement. In the meantime, what more can be done to bring the people of Cyprus together? I am joined by Nasia Hadjigeorgiou and Fezile Osum to discuss all this.

Dr Nasia Hadjigeorgiou is an Associate Professor in Transitional Justice and Human Rights at the University of Central Lancashire (Cyprus campus) and a resident expert at ICLAIM. She holds an LLB with First Class Honours from University College London (2006-2009), an LLM from the University of Cambridge (2009-2010) and a PhD from King’s College London (2011-2015). In 2021-2023, she was a Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics Hellenic Observatory. Her monograph, entitled Protecting Human Rights and Building Peace in Post-violence Societies: An Underexplored Relationship (Hart Publishing, 2020), which received the Constantinos Emilianides Annual Book Award in Law for 2020, focuses on the protection of human rights in Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland and South Africa. Dr Hadjigeorgiou is the editor of an edited book entitled Identity, Belonging and Human Rights (Brill, 2019) and has published a range of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the area of human rights in post-conflict contexts. In 2024, she received the Social Action Award by the British Council, for the social impact of her research.

Fezile Osum holds an LLB from the University of Kent and an LLM in Human Rights Law from İstanbul Bilgi University. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Central Lancashire on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) during Arab Spring and transitional justice. Over the past decade, Fezile has been a committed advocate for human rights and peace in Cyprus, serving as a legal advisor and program coordinator with various NGOs. Since 2023, she has been working as a researcher in the EU-funded InPeace Project, where she examines the work of the Bi-Communal Technical Committees in Cyprus.

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#Cyprus #UnitedNations

[JamesKerLindsay]

In March, the leaders of the two Cypriot communities, as well as the three Guarantor Powers (Greece, Turkey, and the UK) met for talks in Geneva. There they agreed on several new measures to try to improve contacts across the Green Line. But will this produce any results? Or is it more of the same? And what is the alternative? Is it time for a new approach? And what should this be? Is a more people-centred focus the answer? As always, I look forward to your thoughts and comments.

[Sic_Parvis_Magna]

It was yesterday that i asked in an older comment section for your thoughts on current Cyprus developments and here is an upload! Thank you James.

Hopefully you will cover reunification in the next 5 years... if we are lucky

[azrafchowdhury]

This was quite interesting. Nasia and Fezile spoke well, and they are doing some great, noble work. This video has taught me some new things and given new insights about a topic I'm not familiar with. Professor James, you definitely need to do more of these.

[christopherwilkinson]

This was a very excellent one James. More of the same in due course please 👍

[branscombeR]

Brilliant discussion with two very impressive guests! I'm left with the impression that if only this whole frozen conflict were placed into the hands of young Turkish and Greek Cypriot women like these, it would be resolved amicably overnight! R (Australia)

[youknow]

This was a good comprehensive discussion.

[omurcinarelci]

This mindless hatred destroyed my beautiful island, our motherland for all Cypriots.

[ChrisTheLoneWanderer]

It's good to see the Technical Committees highlighted!

[electricVGC]

Really appreciated this in depth look at a number of facets of Cypriot settlement.

[panostheodoulou]

I disagree with Nasia's conclusion that there will be eventually a ''two state'' solution; this would set a bad president regarding countries that invade sovereign states. It would be more likely the status quo could remain as it is, that is, the northern area to continue not being recognised and only the Cyprus Republic recognised, that is the status quo. A two state solution will never legally happen, so something has to give sooner or later. For that reason I believe that eventually there will be a Federal solution but it will take a lot of negotiation and compromises from both sides. It will also be dependent on whether Tatar remains as leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. I believe it's true that Turkey had an influence in Tartar's ''election'' win, as Tartar's policy is Turkey's agenda on Cyprus.

[Evemeister]

The status quo shall remain. Turkey won't budge from its military presence in cyprus. The UK doesn’t care so long as it retains its sovereign air bases.

As for the Cypriots... hard luck, mate.

[bigboyrambo]

The British bases in Cyprus are never spoke about when talking about fixing Cyprus.
It was the British that stirred the pot in Cyprus to keep its bases to protect I srael.

[ti]

A very interesting discussion on the part of Nasia Hadjigeorgiou, who was professional enough to put her personal wishes aside and really explain what is happening in Cyprus and why. Unfortunately, it seems that Fezile Osum was more intent on conveying her personal thoughts and wishes rather than an objective analysis of the situation from the North. She clearly isn’t a supporter of Tatar - and that’s fine - but, this was a talk about the Cyprus issue and not about her views on the current leadership or Turkey’s influence. Was Tatar helped into power by Turkish money and pressure? Probably to a degree, yes. But she should also be aware that the pro-unification parties in the North are also the beneficiaries of significant ‘funding’ and support from the EU and beyond.

[tarihci]

I appreciate England. While withdrawing from its colonies, it has created problems up to the present day. For example, Palestine, Cyprus and Pakistan, India. In short, England implemented great policies that caused problems. Well done

[mustafaakyouz]

I personally want re-unification as well but it should be seen that "all or nothing" and maximalist approach from GCs have done nothing but fed the ideology of the likes of Tatar and pro-Türkiye policies in the north. It was GC external affairs minister Rolandis that admitted GCs has rejected 14 opportunities in history for unification in the island alone. Knowing this persistence from GCs and international support behind it, TCs know there are no other choices for them. With the increasing influence from Türkiye and with the example of spineless presidency of Tatar in the last 4 years, it looks like TCs will not even be at the negotiation table anymore.

[TheSwedishHistorian]

I think it would be good to focus on smaller less ambitious goals for the island. Cultural exchanges, tourism trips, medical cooperations, police and fire department cooperation. Career exchanges etc

[Nick-vbsu]

What do you mean the greekcypriot left in 2017? Did they abandon the negotiations while the rest of the parties stayed; Dont you think the negotiations failed in 2017 due to Turkeys persistence on keeping troops as a guarantor?

[safaburakerenkara]

You can't solve a problem that neither side wants to solve. For a solution, all parties need to make some concessions, but no one is willing to do that, they don't seem to care.

[youknow]

My Greek Cypriot friend has family property on the Turkish Cypriot side, they're still trying to resolve the issue.

Can this issue also be highlighted, these real people issues also need highlighting, rather than just grand national issues.

[BetterTextLex]

I am Hellenic American and I can tell you Cyprus is still very important to us. That is why the U.S. lifted its arms embargo on Cyprus in 2022. It’s also why there is now a rapidly growing security partnership between U.S. and Cyprus with a focus on defense cooperation, maritime border security, and foreign aid. It is also why the U.S. government will never recognize the occupation or accept anything less than a united single and sovereign state.