A Turkish army sign is pictured at the entrance of Varosha, in the fenced off area of Famagusta (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
CRUNCH talks on the future of Cyprus may see the divided island officially split into two states.
The UN meeting, to be held in Switzerland next month between Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, and representatives from both Turkish and Greek Cyprus, will seek to finally settle a permanent solution after the former British colony was divided in 1974 following a coup and invasion by Turkish troops.
A UN deal brokered by secretary general Kofi Annan in 1994 had offered hope of reunification and was widely supported in a referendum by Turkish Cypriots in the north, though it was resoundingly rejected by the Greek Cypriots in the south.
Despite the remaining division, however, Brussels granted EU membership to the Republic of Cyprus in the south, which left the Turkish Republic of Cyprus in the north isolated and recognised only by Ankara.
Now campaigners for the rights of Northern Cypriots are citing remarks by US Vice President JD Vance to persuade the UN to recognise the “fundamental injustice” by the EU in the way it has treated the island’s people.
“Vice President Vance is right – the EU is not a neutral arbiter but a force that manipulates democratic processes for political convenience”, said Cetin Ramadan, co-chair freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus campaign.
“Some 65% of Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of reunification, while 76% of Greek Cypriots rejected it. The EU had promised that the outcome of the vote would guide its policy – but when the Greek Cypriot administration voted against reunification, it was still granted EU membership, leaving Turkish Cypriots isolated.”
He added: “The EU’s own rules and principles were disregarded to accommodate Greek Cypriot interests. Turkish Cypriots, who voted in line with the EU-backed UN plan, were punished, while Greek Cypriots were rewarded for rejecting it.”
Cyprus, Paphos embankment, aerial view. Famous mediterranean resort city Summer Travel. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Cetin Ramadan, co-chair freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus campaign. (Image: Cetin Ramadan)
US Vice President JD Vance speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Greek Cypriot President Nikos Hristodulidis has already indicated he seeks to resurrect the 2017 federalism deal, which proposed the sovereign equality of Turkish Cypriots and a rotational presidency.
But the rejection of this deal by Greek Cyprus at the time means that any hope of reunifying the island under federal system is “now dead”, says President Ersin Tatar.
“A new political approach is necessary. This approach is the two-state solution,” Tatar explained at a meeting in Ankara.
The UK, which retains control of a vital military base in Cyprus, has also been criticised for breaking promises to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.
These included promises of direct trade between Northern Cyprus and the EU and direct flights to Northern Cyprus to facilitate travel and economic growth, which have still not materialised after 20 years.
“The EU continues to enforce embargoes that strangle the Turkish Cypriot economy, reinforcing dependence on Turkey rather than allowing Northern Cyprus to engage freely in international trade,” said Mr Ramadan.
“This mirrors JD Vance’s broader point – the EU operates not as a democratic institution, but as a political tool that enforces decisions in favour of elite and entrenched interests, often at the expense of democratic will.
“In Cyprus, this has meant propping up Greek Cypriot intransigence while leaving Turkish Cypriots in limbo.”
While Turkey and Greece will be represented at the level of foreign ministers, the UK – as the third guarantor, – will only participate at the “bureaucratic” level in next month’s summit.
This is at the request of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side, who feel that London has leaned toward Greek Cypriot positions.