Revitalizing the Cyprus Peace Process
In an effort to reinvigorate the Cyprus peace negotiations, which have been stalled since 2017, key figures within the Turkish Cypriot community are calling for a new approach. They argue that any future talks must be bound by pre-determined timeframes and tangible consequences for failure to ensure progress towards a resolution.
The impasse deepened after the unsuccessful talks in Crans-Montana, leading to a shift in Ankara’s stance and the election of a conservative nationalist Turkish Cypriot leader in 2020, who insists on recognition of ‘sovereign equality’ for the breakaway state before engaging in settlement discussions. Advocates for a federal solution contend that without a revised negotiating methodology, reaching such an agreement is unattainable.
Ozdil Nami, a staunch federal solution proponent and former chief negotiator, believes that negotiations should resume from where they left off at Crans-Montana, with a fixed timeline and subsequent referendums posed to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Nami stresses that trust has eroded to such an extent that without a structured process, the prospect of reaching a conclusive agreement is bleak.
The Republican Turkish Party (CTP), through a letter to UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin, echoed the sentiment for urgency and inclusivity in the negotiation process. Fikri Toros of the CTP highlighted the necessity of a deadline for talks and suggested that there should be repercussions for any party that derails the process, emphasizing that Cyprus cannot endure another negotiation failure.
Ipek Borman, with experience in previous negotiation teams, advocates for a results-driven approach with clear benchmarks and mechanisms to resolve deadlocks. She emphasizes the need for civil society’s involvement, particularly women and youth, while cautioning against creating further divisions during the process setup.
As discussions on how to proceed remain tentative, the consensus among Turkish Cypriot leaders and experts is clear: a new, more structured and consequence-laden approach is essential to break the current deadlock and move towards a peaceful resolution for Cyprus.
