The new IKV report titled “Reuniting Cyprus: New Dynamics & Implications for Turkey-EU Relations” written by IKV Researcher Yeliz Şahin, was published in June 2016 (Publication No:282).

The Cyprus question has been on the international agenda for six decades and has remained intractable despite countless mediation efforts. Today, 12 years after the initial hope and the subsequent trauma caused by the failure of the Annan Plan, the momentum generated in the UN-sponsored reunification talks between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders since their resumption a year ago, has created the expectation that a solution to the decades-long Cyprus problem is within reach. Despite the complexity and sensitivity of the issues discussed, the view that “stars are uniquely aligned for a settlement in Cyprus” has been voiced by many influential politicians and decision-makers.

IKV has been closely observing the developments in the Cyprus reunification talks. As is known, the unilateral membership of the Greek Cypriot Administration prior to a solution to the Cyprus question has seriously hindered Turkey’s EU accession process. In light of the momentum gained in the talks, in November 2015, IKV paid a visit to the TRNC and held contacts with key Turkish Cypriot officials.

The IKV report, which focuses on the current round of reunification talks on the island, strives to explore the new dynamics which have generated optimism for the settlement of the Cyprus problem. The report sheds light on the EU’s involvement in the Cyprus problem with particular emphasis on the unilateral membership of the Greek Cypriot Administration prior to a solution and its implications for Turkey’s EU accession process and for the Turkish Cypriot community. The final section of the report aims to analyse the respective positions of the parties regarding the main issues on the negotiation table.

To read the report, please click here.

Reuniting Cyprus: New Dynamics & Implications for Turkey-EU Relations

Author: Yeliz Şahin

Publication No: 282

Publication date: June 2016

Number of pages: 84

ISBN: 978-605-5984-76-2