NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The European Union might help resolve Cyprus’ decades-old ethnic division by underscoring to all sides within the dispute {that a} peace accord would convey with advantages and a major enchancment in relations with the 27-member bloc, officers stated Tuesday.
Johannes Hahn, the EU envoy for Cyprus, held his first assembly Tuesday with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in his new capability, which officers hope will construct momentum towards reviving stalled negotiations led by the United Nations.
Cyprus was cleaved alongside ethnic strains in 1974 when Turkey invaded within the wake of a coup that aimed to unify the island with Greece. Solely Turkey acknowledges a 1983 Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence within the island’s northern third the place Turkey maintains greater than 35,000 troops.
Hahn stated after the dialogue with Christodoulides Tuesday that he would attain out to all stakeholders, together with Turkey, to assist construct confidence and assist for Maria Angela Holguin, who’s heading up peace efforts because the envoy to Cyprus representing U.N. Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres.
Requested how the EU might assist bridge what look like diametrically opposed positions held by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides, Hahn stated “all events have explicit pursuits associated to the European Union and that is precisely what I attempt to determine in all my conferences.”
Though Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, solely the southern Greek Cypriot half the place the internationally acknowledged authorities is seated enjoys full membership advantages.
Turkey started EU membership talks in 2005, however these have stalled over its refusal to acknowledge the Cypriot authorities because the island’s sole authorized authority. Turkey stays eager to conclude visa liberalization talks with the EU that started in 2013.
Cyprus backs nearer EU-Turkey ties so long as there’s clear progress on Cyprus peace talks, authorities spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis stated.
The first impediment to restarting peace talks is Turkish and Turkish Cypriot insistence on a deal that will acknowledge two states on the island. This goes towards a peace blueprint endorsed by the the U.N. Safety Council that foresees a federated Cyprus with Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking zones.
Greek Cypriots reject any settlement that will formalize partition, fearing Turkey would search to manage the whole island in mild of its demand to keep up a everlasting troop presence and navy intervention rights in Cyprus. Turkey additionally insists the minority Turkish Cypriots ought to have veto rights over all federal authorities choices.
