Breaking Barriers: Cyprus Talks Show Promise for Long-Awaited Reunification

After decades of bitter conflict and failed negotiations, peace talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders appear to be making significant progress towards a long-awaited reunification of the divided island.

Cyprus has been split between a Greek Cypriot-controlled south and a Turkish Cypriot-controlled north since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in response to a Greek-inspired coup. The conflict led to the displacement of thousands of people, and to this day Cyprus remains one of the world’s few countries that is still divided by a United Nations buffer zone.

However, in 2015, the leaders of the two communities, Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci, began a new round of talks aimed at solving the thorny issue of reunification. Both men have been praised for their willingness to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution of a conflict that has plagued the region for over four decades.

The most recent round of talks began in April 2021, and has seen the two sides discuss a range of issues, including the possible creation of a federation with two regions and a central government, the drawing of new borders, and the return of displaced persons to their former homes.

So far, both sides have shown a willingness to compromise, with Anastasiades and Akinci meeting several times in person and holding regular phone conversations to discuss progress. The UN has also played an active role in the talks, with its envoy to Cyprus, Jane Holl Lute, facilitating negotiations and urging both sides to continue working towards a solution.

One particularly promising development has been the issue of territorial adjustments, which has long been a major stumbling block in previous talks. In the latest round of talks, both sides have agreed to exchange maps outlining their preferred boundaries, and have reportedly made significant progress towards a mutually acceptable solution.

The issue of property rights has also been discussed, with the two sides agreeing to a mechanism that would allow Greek Cypriots who lost their homes in the north to apply for compensation or to have their property returned.

Apart from these issues, other long-standing points of contention such as security and governance, have also been discussed and a lot of progress has been made. The aim is to resolve these issues before both leaders proceed on to an international conference, hoping to seal the deal.

The progress made so far in these talks is hugely significant, offering real hope for a lasting and peaceful solution to the Cyprus conflict. If a deal can be reached, it would not only end a decades-long territorial dispute but could also have wider implications for the region and potentially unlock new economic opportunities. Given the progress made so far, the future looks hopeful for the reunification of Cyprus, showing that even seemingly insurmountable barriers can be overcome with perseverance, determination, and a willingness to compromise.