Newsroom
As Cyprus inches closer to a potential multilateral conference on its future—likely in early March—UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has laid out his vision and concerns in his latest reports. These reports, which reflect the UN's position, outline key challenges and stark choices facing the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, as well as the international stakeholders involved.
No Common Ground Yet
According to Kathimerini's Pavlos Xanthoulis, Guterres notes with disappointment that despite ongoing efforts, the two sides remain at odds over a way forward. The Greek Cypriot leadership continues to champion a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as outlined in UN Security Council resolutions, while the Turkish Cypriot side insists on recognition of two separate states. The Secretary-General, however, hints at a "middle ground," suggesting a confederal arrangement that could serve as a compromise. While he stops short of explicitly endorsing this, his language indicates it as a possible solution.
For the Greek Cypriot side, this is a challenging moment. They face pressure to abandon the firmly established UN framework of a federation and move toward compromise. Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot leadership is urged to relinquish its demand for two states in favor of a looser confederation, which aligns with Ankara’s long-term strategy.
The Risk of Partition
Guterres warns of dire consequences if talks fail again. For Greek Cypriots, this could mean the finalization of partition, with the loss of any hope of reclaiming occupied territories. For Turkish Cypriots, a permanent division could lead to deeper dependency on Turkey, jeopardizing their European identity and citizenship.
Key Issues at Stake
1. Trust and Compromise: Guterres encourages both sides to bridge their differences, emphasizing trust-building measures as critical to creating momentum for a settlement.
2. Famagusta: The Secretary-General reiterates his call for Turkey to reverse actions in fenced-off Varosha, holding Ankara accountable for its provocative steps in opening parts of the city.
3. Ending Turkish Cypriot Isolation: Guterres calls for "enhanced cooperation" between international actors and the Turkish Cypriot administration. While respecting UN resolutions, he suggests that concerns about recognition should not block progress in building economic, cultural, and social ties.
Buffer Zone and Migration
The report highlights rising tensions over the buffer zone, where the UN accuses both sides of violations. Notably, it equates Greek Cypriot farmers accessing their fields with actions by Turkish occupation forces, a comparison likely to raise eyebrows in Nicosia.
On migration, the UN criticizes Cyprus for denying access to asylum procedures for refugees trapped in the buffer zone, including children. Guterres proposes a joint mechanism between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to manage migration—an idea supported by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.
What Lies Ahead?
With the multilateral conference approaching, the stakes are higher than ever. Guterres urges Cyprus and the international community, including Greece and Turkey, to seize this opportunity to avoid perpetual deadlock. However, the path forward is fraught with dilemmas and compromises that neither side may be fully prepared to make.
As Cyprus stands at a crossroads, the question remains: will this be the moment for a breakthrough, or will history repeat itself with another missed opportunity and deeper division?
This article was summarized and translated from its Greek original
*To read more of Pavlos Xanthoulis's article and gain full access to in-depth reports (in Greek), subscribe now to Kathimerini's print edition and stay informed with comprehensive coverage on this and more!
