UN Drafts Deal to End 52-Year Cyprus Crisis

A deal being drafted by the United Nations to end the Cyprus crisis could bring an end to 52 years of stalemate with a watered-down federal solution close to Turkish demands for two separate states. The prospect of a deal would be hugely significant for the UK because of the ongoing status of its two sovereign bases on the island, which are crucial for dealing with problems in the Middle East. It also follows an attack by Iran on one of those bases during the recent war started by Donald Trump and the relocation of UK destroyer HMS Dragon to protect British and allied interests there.

The Mediterranean island has been formally split since 1974 after a military coup on the island saw an attempt to unite it with Greece and an outbreak of fighting between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The intervention by the Turkish army on 20 July 1974 led to the island being divided between north and south with the unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) unilaterally declaring independence in 1983. María Ángela Holguín, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy for Cyprus, has been working on a deal with the TRNC arguing that the status of Turkish Cypriots is not being treated equally as was originally agreed when the island was given independence from the British empire in 1960.

Details seen by The Independent suggest that Ms Holguín is proposing a looser solution within the EU moving away from the federal model of previous negotiations. The UN draft solution would potentially create two constituent states with political equality and a drastic reduction in shared competences; most day-to-day governance handled by the two states, with a small central structure for what cannot be left to each side. For shared competences, there would be a rotating presidential council led by the two leaders, an overarching council of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot MPs rather than a directly elected federal parliament, and a joint cabinet of roughly five or six ministries.

The Cypriot government in the south wants to see the removal of Turkish forces from the island, which they consider to be an army of occupation, while the TRNC insists it is there for their protection. To deal with the guarantor system set up in 1960 of the UK, Turkey, and Greece, it would be replaced with a Nato formula, potentially allowing a small multinational presence on the island. The UN is understood to be looking at a two or three-year transition period, with initial territorial returns and the gradual introduction of the Turkish Cypriot side’s ‘three Ds’ - direct trade, direct flights, and direct contacts - plus easing of Turkish restrictions and access to Turkish ports.

Spyros Miltiades, deputy high commissioner for Cyprus in London, said: ‘As far as I know, there has been no formal UN proposal that either side has been asked to respond to. The ideas being circulated appear to be speculative rather than a concrete proposal or plan. Any meaningful progress would need to come through the established UN-led process and within the agreed UN framework.’ TRNC President Tufan Erhürman said that the will of his people for a solution is clear and that they have stated their support for the efforts of the UN secretary-general.

María Ángela Holguín stated: ’I recognise past efforts and difficult negotiations throughout history. I am convinced that Cypriots can cooperate and share a vision of the future for the new generations. Cyprus truly has the potential to become a central regional actor by uniting around common interests, while respecting its own internal characteristics and diversity.

Cyprus can be a place where bridges are built in all directions and coexistence is promoted in this complex Eastern Mediterranean region. As such, Cyprus can truly become an example for the region, for Europe, and for the rest of the world.’