A paper published by ELIAMEP on the Cyprus issue

 

As the December EU Summit meeting is drawing closer, there is a noticeable increase in diplomatic attention regarding the Cyprus problem. Although all involved parties and external observers have important incentives to contribute to the success of bicommunal talks, expectations for a positive outcome are rather limited. The present paper –the third published by ELIAMEP on the Cyprus issue in the last few months, with two more papers to follow soon, one from a Turkish and one from a Turkish-Cypriot author – argues that for many Greek-Cypriots the fundamental question “what model can lead to a viable solution?” has not been answered in a satisfactory manner.  Despite several rounds of meetings, there is considerable distance between the two communities on several major issues: constitutional issues, governance, property issues, the three fundamental freedoms, security, settlers, territorial issue, economy. The author argues that a solution based on a functional federation may prompt a dynamic toward integration.  Furthermore, while it addresses the fundamental concerns of the two communities and of all citizens it can consolidate the Republic of Cyprus as a viable state without guarantor powers, reflecting its status as a full member of the EU.  Cyprus should also become a member of a western collective security organization.

 

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