Current Situation
The Annan Plan for Cyprus Issue
- A new hopeful beginning was initiated in February 2014 with the Joint Statement agreed to by Greek Cypriot leader Nicolas Anastasiades and then Turkish Cypriot President Derviş Eroğlu; however this process was also wiped out, with the Greek side leaving the negotiation table due to a disagreement over the hydrocarbon resources around the island.
- Thus, today the solution for a united and peaceful Cyprus needs to be approached carefully. The victory of Mustafa Akıncı in the Turkish Cypriot presidental elections led to the reopening of talks in May 2015. So far the progress on the negotiations are promising, and there are several reasons to believe this new process could be accelerated.
- First, this is the only time both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders have sat around the table genuinely interested in reaching a settlement.
- Second, the negotiation process is coming from the inside.
- Third, the financial crisis in Southern Europe has increased political will.
- Lastly, since three guarantors are merging in support of a potential solution, a peaceful settlement on the Cyprus issue is more likely.
Effects of Referendum Results
- It became apparent that Greeks cannot represent the northern side of the island.
- The common view that "Turkish people are not in favor of finding a solution, etc." vanished.
- Regardless of the results, the Southern Cyprus became a member of the EU representing whole island.
- It prevented Turkey's adhesion to the EU.
Positive Sides of the Annan Plan
- With the adoption of the new constitutional model of the UN Annan Plan in Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots would automatically join the European Union regardless of any criteria and subsequently they can acquire European citizenship equal to the French and the Dutch European citizens.
- The new constitutional model for Cyprus would establish single voice in the EU.
- A certain number of Greek Cypriots would return back to their homes. Others would receive "compensations" paid out of their own pockets through the establishment of special income-tax compensation funds. This would create many classes of "European" citizens, divided racially, ethnically, politically, economically, and religiously, but other than that they would all be "Europeans" enjoying the "same" rights.
- Turkey would have extended military intervention rights over the entire of the United Cyprus Republic.
Thank you!
The Annan Plan
- The Annan Plan is a United Nations proposal to resolve the Cyprus dispute.
- The proposal suggested to restructure the Republic of Cyprus as a "United Republic of Cyprus", which would be a federation of two states.
- There were 6 negotiations before going to referendum.
- The proposal was supported by 65% of Turkish Cypriots, but only 24% of Greek Cypriots.
Historical Development of the Issue
- Formation of a partnership state (1960)
- 1959-1960 Treaties on Cyprus
- Formed on the basis of the presence and equality of both communities
- Referred as positive progress of Turkish - Greek friendship and world peace
- Sharing the same constitution with the mutual benefits
The Cyprus Issue
- Lasted 1 year (Greeks started violating the constitution)
- On 30 December 1963, Cyprus was divided in 2 with a border called “green line”.
- Greek Cypriots always wanted to be the sole power holder in Cyprus.
- Disregarding the previous agreements and the signed constitution, Greek Cypriots initiated an invasion to the Northern Cyprus
- Turkey involved in the issue.
Why unification?
- Both sides of the island are in difficult economic situations
- An austerity programme imposed by the European Union has squeezed Greek Cyprus hard, while Turkey has cut financial assistance to northern Cyprus to the bone.
- There could be rapid exploitation of offshore gas without the complications arising from continued political division.
- Tourism could expand, with more European tourists coming to an undivided island, and more Turkish tourists heading to Cyprus as well.
- Direct access to Turkey for Greek Cypriots – it is, after all, less than 50 miles away – could bring many benefits.
Being one of the fundamental issues between Turkey and Greece relations, the Cyprus Issue is an ongoing problem since the beginning of the history, but especially after 1963. For decades, the Cyprus issue, which has been tried to be solved for many times, has been subjected to unsuccessful initiatives of international communities. One of the most important initiatives taken to solve the problem between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots was the Annan Plan.
Why Cyprus is important?
Cyprus is an important island because of its geographical position and it has been a land desired by many countries since the beginning of the history as it had been close to oil fields in Middle East and as it had been in the middle of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa.