Zypern – Eine Zukunft jenseits der Vergangenheit

Ein Jahr nach der Ablehnung des Friedensplans der Vereinten Nationen für Zypern, der allgemein als ‚Annan-Plan’ bekannt ist, untersucht Amanda Akçakoca  vom European Policy Centre die Aussicht auf eine Wiederaufnahme der Gespräche zwischen den griechisch- und den türkischstämmigen Zyprioten und auf eine Überwindung der bereits seit 30 Jahren andauernden Teilung der Insel. Obgleich die Aussicht auf Neuverhandlungen in naher Zukunft eher gering sei, müsse der Annan-Plan auch weiterhin die Grundlage von Verhandlungen bilden.

1. Introduction

Just over a year ago, on 24 April 2004, in a referendum, 76% of Greek Cypriots rejected the United Nations‘ Peace Plan, more commonly known as the “Annan Plan” to reunify Cyprus after more than 30 years of division. Their Turkish Cypriot compatriots, on the other hand, embraced the plan and overwhelming voted (65%) for reunification. 

The international community, which unanimously endorsed the Annan Plan, condemned the Greek Cypriot administration, even going as far as to say that Greek Cypriot President, Tassos Papadopoulos, had deceived the entire international community into believing that he supported the plan only to cast it aside at the last moment. Doubtful voices began to emerge questioning whether the Greek Cypriots were truly dedicated to achieving a solution.

At the same time the European Union, United States and others made issued strong political statements and promised the Turkish Cypriots that they would not be forgotten; that everything possible would be done to ease their economic isolation. In particular the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 26 April 2004 stated “that the Council is determined to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. The Council invites the Commission to bring forward comprehensive proposals to this end, with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island and on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU.” This led to two draft regulations on financial aid and trade, which were put forward by the Commission shortly afterwards.

Both communities ended up feeling bitter and resentful: the Turkish Cypriots towards the Greek Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots towards Turkey and the international community which they believed was guilty of attempting to impose an inadequate deal.

One year on, the situation on the island has hardly changed. Turkish Cypriots are disillusioned, as promises made by the European Commission have been blocked in Council. The Greek Cypriots continue to defend their referendum decision. Cyprus continues to be plagued by “the blame game” and “the zero-sum game.”  This a very depressing situation for countries that have so much in common and so much to gain from normalising relations. 

With the accession of Cyprus to the European Union on 1 May 2004, the EU is finding itself under increasing pressure to play a more active role but seems at a loss as to what it can realistically do.

However, with the decision of the European Council in December 2005 to open accession talks with Turkey on 3 October 2005, it would seem that a new window of opportunity may be opening. Nevertheless, as UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan has made clear, no new round of talks will be launched until he is convinced that there is a clear political will from all parties concerned, to find a permanent and sustainable solution. A second Greek “no” vote in a referendum would be disastrous.

This Issue Paper sets out to examine the following: Why did the UN fail in 2004? What changes need to be introduced in order to obtain a positive result in a new round of negotiations? What are the key issues that need to be addressed? What is the time scale? What, in the interim period, should be done to improve the economic situation of the Turkish Cypriots and to build confidence between the two communities, and what sort of role can the EU and the rest of the international community most usefully play?

To read this issue paper in full, visit the European Policy Centre website.