The leaders of the Greek and Turkish parts of Cyprus will begin reunification talks on Wednesday. While many doubt they will be successful, some say it's the island's best chance in a generation. Leaders from Cyprus' Turkish and Greek sides are meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 3, to try and iron out a decade's long dispute. Observers are hoping that Greek Cypriot Demetris Christofias, the president of Cyprus, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will be able to settle a feud which has long defied international efforts and threatens to undermine Turkey's European Union aspirations. A diplomat close to the negotiations, speaking on conditions of anonymity, told Reuters news agency that this is the best chance Cyprus has had in a generation. "Both leaders are genuinely committed for a deal, and that is what was lacking before," he said.
Leaders from Cyprus' Turkish and Greek sides are meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 3, to try and iron out a decade's long dispute. Observers are hoping that Greek Cypriot Demetris Christofias, the president of Cyprus, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will be able to settle a feud which has long defied international efforts and threatens to undermine Turkey's European Union aspirations.
A diplomat close to the negotiations, speaking on conditions of anonymity, told Reuters news agency that this is the best chance Cyprus has had in a generation.
"Both leaders are genuinely committed for a deal, and that is what was lacking before," he said.
For decades, the island of Cyprus has been divided between the Turkish north and the Greek south. Now, leaders of the two sides are optimistic that reunification can be achieved. Talks began on Wednesday. The conflict has been deadlocked for decades. But this week, talks between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to reunite their Mediterranean island have begun again in earnest. This time, say observers, there is a very real chance that an agreement will be reached. People on Ledra Street in the divided Cypriot capital of Nicosia. "It is time to end the long-lingering Cyprus problem and to give the Cypriot people the better future they deserve," said Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, who is representing the Greek Cypriot community in the talks. "We have a common will and a common desire." Christofias' comments came just after 90 minutes of talks with Mehmet Ali Talat, president of Turkish northern Cyprus, a region recognized as an independent nation by only one government -- Turkey's. The two met in a building that once belonged to the country's main airport, but now sits in no-man's land, in the east-west scar that divides the island. Their talks, in the presence of former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who was appointed the UN special envoy for Cyprus in July, were meant to set the stage for further talks set to begin next week.
For decades, the island of Cyprus has been divided between the Turkish north and the Greek south. Now, leaders of the two sides are optimistic that reunification can be achieved. Talks began on Wednesday.
The conflict has been deadlocked for decades. But this week, talks between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to reunite their Mediterranean island have begun again in earnest. This time, say observers, there is a very real chance that an agreement will be reached.
People on Ledra Street in the divided Cypriot capital of Nicosia. "It is time to end the long-lingering Cyprus problem and to give the Cypriot people the better future they deserve," said Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, who is representing the Greek Cypriot community in the talks. "We have a common will and a common desire."
Christofias' comments came just after 90 minutes of talks with Mehmet Ali Talat, president of Turkish northern Cyprus, a region recognized as an independent nation by only one government -- Turkey's. The two met in a building that once belonged to the country's main airport, but now sits in no-man's land, in the east-west scar that divides the island. Their talks, in the presence of former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who was appointed the UN special envoy for Cyprus in July, were meant to set the stage for further talks set to begin next week.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
Things were pointing this way by small measures for the last few years. Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Now you have two sides on the island who are both working open-mindedly for a solution. I I hope good things come from this quickly. keep to the Fen Causeway
Turkey is AGAINST a resolution, and the Cypriots (both sides are for it).
And for that reason these talks are going absolutely nowhere.
Everyone on the island and in diplomatic circles knows it.
Furtehrmore, even the UN does because they appointed a noted rabble rouser to oversee the talks.
The Turkish military nearly overthrew their own gov't recently. They could snap their fingers instantly and the current gov't in North Cyprus would collapse overnight.
Just last week there was a controversy in which the north's PM had promised pilgrims they could visit a church in the north. Much to his embarrassment and chagrin, the military prevented the visit, this despite the fact the border crossings had been open for months.
The Cyprus problem won't be solved until Turkey is on the doorstep of the EU. I read the Turkish papers everyday, and everyone considers Cyprus a great card for Turkey to play in negotiations with the EU.
Finally, the events in Kosovo and Georgia give the TRNC hope.
Regardless, what they're asking for now goes way beyond even the last Annan Plan which was rejected. Having two states in a confederation was not in the cards.
