Reviving negotiations for the reunification of Cyprus

Serbia would like to see equal rights for all residents of the island, and an end to animosity between the Greek-Cypriots and Turks in the north.

Additional comments:
Sanctioning the TRNC is not the solution to encourage unification. There needs to be improved cross-border trade and co-operation between North Cyprus and the Greek-Cypriot Republic.

Reply 2

Jangliss

5

Russia supports the EU's effort to unite Cyprus through making it independent from both states.

Reply 3

brimstone

7

The Republic of Sierra Leone supports the reunification of Cyprus. The Republic feels the fact that Turkey is illegaly occupying Cyprus should be taken into account when EU talks are being made.

Reply 4

aaronc2

Greece applauds Cyprus on its iniative - and urges the international community to apply pressure on the Turkish government to end its illegal occupation, which, Greece reminds the international community, has caused the current undesireable situation

Such a plan must involve a complete withdrawal of all Turkish armed forces from Cyprus

Reply 5

OP

The Republic of Cyprus is pleased to see that there is a high level of support for the efforts to unite the island. TRC would like to ask Serbia to elaborate more on the issue concerning equal rights that Serbia has raised. TRC agrees fully with Serbia that co-operation is vital towards achieving any solution. However, what Serbia is proposing will inevitably lead to the recognition of TRNC which is a political move the Republic of Cyprus is not prepared to undertake. TRC will never recognise the illegal state that has been set up in the Northern part of the island and hence trading with TRNC, a republic which does not legally exist, is impossible.

Reply 6

Death

The Republic of Cyprus is pleased to see that there is a high level of support for the efforts to unite the island. TRC would like to ask Serbia to elaborate more on the issue concerning equal rights that Serbia has raised. TRC agrees fully with Serbia that co-operation is vital towards achieving any solution. However, what Serbia is proposing will inevitably lead to the recognition of TRNC which is a political move the Republic of Cyprus is not prepared to undertake. TRC will never recognise the illegal state that has been set up in the Northern part of the island and hence trading with TRNC, a republic which does not legally exist, is impossible.

This is the root of the problem - you only see the Turks as an enemy, invaders, occupiers, and as such will only accept Greek-Cypriot control of the island. Yes, there was a Turkish military invasion in 1974 - but Serbia feels the Greek-Cypriots should move on from the past. Why punish ordinary Turkish people who wished to settle in Cyprus?

Serbia proposes that the Turkish inhabitants property, voting rights, citizenship and overall legal status be preserved. Co-operation in forming a joint government acceptable to both groups is something we would encourage.

Serbia has a significant mixture of ethnicities within its borders but we all co-exist peacefully the majority of the time. Why cant this happen in Cyprus?

Reply 7

OP

Because the property that the Turkish people have taken is not theirs! It is the property of the Greek-Cypriots who still have the right to it. TRC does not see Turkey as the enemy in the sense that Serbia is concerned with. Serbia has experienced much trouble in the recent decades with its ethnic minorities, in particular when it was still part of Yugoslavia. This is not a good example. TRC fears further ethnic violence between Greek Cypriots and Turks, however TRC strongly believes that Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots can learn to get along...many already have.

Reply 8

Death

Because the property that the Turkish people have taken is not theirs! It is the property of the Greek-Cypriots who still have the right to it.

What does TRC propose to do with the Turkish minority then? Evict them from the island? That would be like evicting the Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza.

Death

TRC fears further ethnic violence between Greek Cypriots and Turks, however TRC strongly believes that Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots can learn to get along...many already have.

If TRC doesnt recognise the Turkish north, how is further violence likely to be curbed? In order for republics to be merged they must first recognise each other as equal entities for any negociations to make progress.

Serbia does not wish to be speaking for the Turkish-Cypriots but there does not appear to be an active UN representative for Turkey....

Reply 9

gemgems89

Israel also supports the unification of Cyprus.

Reply 10

OP

TRC thinks there is a slight confusion here. With the term 'Turkish minority' does Serbia mean the Turkish-Cypriot minority or the Turkish settlers minority? The example used by Serbia, with all due respect, is inappropriate because the Middle-East dispute is very different to that of Cyprus. The Palestinians have lived in the West Bank and Gaza a lot longer than Turkish settlers have lived in Cyprus. Perhaps the term eviction should be replaced with the term re-allocation. Nobody said they have no right to live on the island...what TRC is trying to emphasise is that they have no right to Greek-Cypriot property.
Recognising the North is out of the question. What Cyprus proposes is the existance of two bi-communal states and recognising an independent government such as that of the TRNC will work against this proposed solution. Cyprus also regrets the fact that there is no rep. for Turkey. However, Turkey should not be entrenched in the plan for a solution. This is a matter concerning Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Turkey should only be concerned when it comes down to dealing with Turkish settlers and Turkish troops stationed in the North.

Reply 11

Yes, there should be distinction made between Turkish settlers and those that have lived on the island for many years (Turkish Cypriots). Serbia apologises for any confusion caused regarding the identity of inhabitants in the north. We simply wish for the Turkish Cypriots to be allowed to live in the area of the TRNC but otherwise be given the same rights as Greek Cypriots (in terms of legal status, voting and representation).

Death

Cyprus also regrets the fact that there is no rep. for Turkey. However, Turkey should not be entrenched in the plan for a solution. This is a matter concerning Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Turkey should only be concerned when it comes down to dealing with Turkish settlers and Turkish troops stationed in the North.

Serbia agrees with this statement.

Reply 12

UnaChance

Brazil supports the unification of cyprus - But no throwing out the greek cypriots of vise vera - Try to come to a peaceful resoloution

Reply 13

Nightowl

12

China deems the Cyprus issue should be resolved fairly and reasonably, and in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.

We are pleased to see the SG has worked to accelerate the process of Cyprus reunification.

Reply 14

OP

sr4470

Yes, there should be distinction made between Turkish settlers and those that have lived on the island for many years (Turkish Cypriots). Serbia apologises for any confusion caused regarding the identity of inhabitants in the north. We simply wish for the Turkish Cypriots to be allowed to live in the area of the TRNC but otherwise be given the same rights as Greek Cypriots (in terms of legal status, voting and representation).

Serbia agrees with this statement.

There is no need for an apology, as Serbia has made things clearer now. There is a problem with the equality which Serbia speaks of. In the Annan plan, the Turkish Cypriot minority were to be given equal representation in the Parliament and a the post of PM was to be rotated so so that a TC was appointed every second term. What are Serbia's views on this solution? The Greek Cypriot majority was shocked at this proposal.

Reply 15

aiman

12

Germany, as a member of the EU, supports the reunification of Cyprus.

Reply 16

Death

There is no need for an apology, as Serbia has made things clearer now. There is a problem with the equality which Serbia speaks of. In the Annan plan, the Turkish Cypriot minority were to be given equal representation in the Parliament and a the post of PM was to be rotated so so that a TC was appointed every second term. What are Serbia's views on this solution? The Greek Cypriot majority was shocked at this proposal.

Perhaps a partially-autonomous region for the Turkish Cypriots would be better.

Reply 17

brimstone

7

The Republic of Sierra Leone welcomes China back from her diplomatic tour.

Reply 18

OP

Cyprus thanks Serbia for the suggestion. More suggestions are of course welcome. Cyprus would be pleased to see the member states who have stated their support for a solution to the Cyprus problem propose any solutions which can debated on. Cyprus would like to know whether all member states agree to the withdrawal of all Turkish troops from the North. At the same time Cyprus will be happy to accept more temporary UN peace-keeping forces in order to provide for the safety of any minorities that may feel threatened.

Reply 19