The Cyprus Peace Talks: a Critical Appraisal
Working Paper 2006/1
Dr Michális S. Michael
Despite three decades of persistent efforts to bring about a negotiated settlement, the small island of Cyprus still remains physically and demographically divided. The failure of the 2004 Annan plan has compounded the need for a thorough reassessment of the Cyprus peace talks with a view to ascertaining the reasons for their collapse. By examining both the impediments and facilitating factors, the author traces instances of continuity and change and identifies the main obstacles that have militated against a successful outcome to the negotiations. Using a 'linkage perspective', the author argues that the inadequacy of the conventional UN diplomatic discourse, and the protagonists' preference for the status quo, have been the main obstacles to reaching a peaceful resolution. The paper highlights the positive impact of 'EU-isation' on relations: a development that necessarily entails placing more emphasis on the relationship between the Greek Cypriot community and Turkey. Such analysis leads the author to assess a series of potential scenarios and to conclude that change to the Cyprus conflict is a middle to long term proposition which requires the dynamic intervention of civil society.
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