Cyprus Workshop

October 27-29, 2006

Separated together

In comparison to the previous years, the workshop reflects a fundamental change of mind. Former passionate supporters of the Annan plan, backing a quick unification of the island have turned into a rather sceptical position. Despite the "warmhearted reports" by foreign press-medias the atmosphere on the island became highly poisoned, several participants did not want to be quoted, to avoid future problems. This corresponds to the intellectual opinion, at least in one part of the island.

There are some main points which should be mentioned in here:

While international organizations try their best to find a solution by federal unification, both parts of the island are developing into an opposite direction. It is not even sure, if the northern part will vote again in favour of a renewed Annan plan. One reason of the negative attitude towards unification by several politicians can simply be seen in the fear "to be caught by the past". More relevant is the indifference of the younger generation. The events, which formed the background of the division, are widely unknown. In order to debate openly about today's situation one must understand the events before 1974. Coming to terms with the past is a precondition not only for Cypriots but for other involved nations and organisations as well.

The views could have changed, but the situation still remains similar. In great length a document was discussed, which referred to a British essay. In short - within some decades of Turkish EU-membership, not only Cyprus, but many other Greek islands will come under the influence of Turkish capital and human transfer. This can be prevented by "promoting the Cyprus problem into a permanent one". So far states a think tank from Greece.

Our suggestion of the former workshop 2005 was a bicommunal foundation, using parts of future gas and oil incomes to cover the process of normalisation between the ethnical groups. In all likelihood, this new chance will be lost again since the future lucrative profit are expectedly to cause new international confrontations rather than to be taken as a chance.

Under these circumstances, a federal alternative becomes more and more difficult to realize. The EU's enlargement including the Republic of Cyprus with a subsequent reunification of the island - this idea can be interpreted differently. Nevertheless the last two years confronted all with one fait accompli: In the near future the government, administration and as well as parts of the public opinion of the Republic of Cyprus are unable for any bicommunal corporation with or without general conditions of federalism. Every other deduction is wrong. The UN has very limited possibilities. It could be successful, if some European states acted on the basic principles of the EU and their own interests. With signing the membership, the Republic of Cyprus has declared its acceptance towards an unilateral suspension of the acquis concerning the North. De facto, there exist no rights of sovereignty over the north. At the same time, Turkish Cypriots are EU citizens with the same rights. If one takes into consideration the new law of the Republic of Cyprus, March 3rd of 2005, which comprehends a penalty of prison to every Turkish Cypriot who lives on former Greek property, one has a further justification to open free international traffic with the North without the incorporation of the Republic of Cyprus. The air and sea traffic of Taiwan shows the possibility of such a service without an international recognition of the Northern Region of Cyprus. This includes the reopening of the old international airport, free to both sides. A conception which was fully elaborated by the UN.

This is of course not a fully convincing solution - but it meets the expectation of the European citizens in the Northern Region. At the same time, it clears the way for Turkey to start direct trade with the Republic of Cyprus. Within the EU, sovereignty in the sense of narrow-minded nationalism is fading away. The Northern Region of Cyprus can live with the deficit of not having these insignias of sovereignty, as long as its special membership within the EU will not be neglected. When this situation is embedded in a flexible successful construction, it can be held up as an example to similar cases, like the relation of the EU with Kosovo and Serbia. Through activities of the civil society, and subnational agreements, combined with the legal power of the EU, daily normalization can free the way to such an extent, that unification can be taken for granted, and a federal solution could be found .

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