Cyprus unification

burnsy


Joined: 07/12/2007
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
31/03/2008 15:48

Hi Guys



Just an article I read on NSP International (see below) and I thought it might be of interest. Sounds a bit optimistic, but if it happens it should be good news.



Regards



Burnsy



Renewed optimism for a reunified Cyprus

Within a few months of its adoption of the Euro currency, Cyprus has welcomed news that the reunification of the island could happen within the year, with the promise of further economic advantages if it does. Just as the island is beginning to enjoy the benefits of being a part of a major currency, the election of left-wing leader Demetris Christofias as President of Cyprus appears to have put reunification back on the agenda as a priority.



Shortly after his election was announced, the new Cypriot President announced that he had requested a meeting with Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Cypriot leader, and has pledged that reunification will be a priority. The Turkish Cypriot leader has also expressed optimism, saying: “I believe that it won’t be a surprise if we solve the problem by the end of 2008.”



According to recent research, reunification of Cyprus would bring in €1.8 billion annually through new opportunities with Turkey and other countries. The report, commissioned by the International Peace Research Institute in Norway, was carried out by Greek and Turkish Cypriot researchers, and pointed to growth in construction, tourism and finance sectors among others. It would also open up the whole island to investors in Cypriot property, given that there has been some ambiguity surrounding the security of buying in the north of the island.



Although the whole island has proved an attractive prospect for investors, the north and the south are two entirely different prospects for investment politically, economically and in terms of their property markets. The most popular areas for investors are currently within the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member with a forward-thinking government working to maintain a healthy economy.



The south of Cyprus has enjoyed a recent upturn in tourism. According to data from the Financial Mirror, it received almost 33,000 visitors from the UK during February 2008, up 4.4% on the same period of 2007.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
31/03/2008 16:18

1.8 billion doesn't seem like alot to base reunification on. The returns would need to be greater - that's my feeling

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
31/03/2008 22:02

Hi Burnsy,ilc,

I remember reading this article a couple of weeks ago and thinking that it was massiveley optimisic to think that re-unification could take place in nine months.At the moment everyone is patting each other on the back giving high fives etc.Dont get me wrong though i do believe that everyone concerned are a little more optimistic now that there has been a change of presidency,but i still think that we are still in the honeymoon period.



Land issues,embargos,direct flights,withdrawal of troops,monetary aid,who will hold the balance of power.Once these issues are spoken about is when we will see the true colours of both sides,

Regards,

Paul.

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
01/04/2008 00:17

I feel a lot depends on the ultimate motive of secret agendas, greek and turkish cypriot, turkish, EU, UN, which I,m afraid will eventually step by step raise seemingly unmmovable obstacles and only truly committed parties will reach a solution. I,m not sure theres enough commitment or middle ground to be traded to overcome the differences and probably not sufficient time within the projected timespan for all interested parties to attend the many meetings that will likely be needed.

Initially there will be solutions to acheivable PR issues, but lets see what happens when we get to the real 'nitty gritty' of acheiving realistic solutions to the major issues. Long haul me thinks!

paul90


Joined: 07/11/2007
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
01/04/2008 10:44

I agree with the comments of Newlad and Pilgrim.

Talat himself has stressed he wants to find a solution but reunification has never been mentioned. You can see his press release on the following link:

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/1858.asp



I don't think the governments of TRNC and Turkey want to risk a future political situation where a majority GC government of a single Cyprus state might revert to discriminating against Turkish Cypriots.

Turkey has given huge support to the TRNC in recent years and massive financial support (so I understand).

Also there is the situation at Gecitkale airport - I am sure the TCs want to keep this to themselves.

Maybe the TCs have become more confident about being able to exist and prosper as an independant entity since the GCs rejected the Annan plan back in 2005.

In theory, North Cyprus may have more to gain by reunification but in practice the politicians in the north may feel it is safer, with a more secure future, if they remained separate from the Greeks.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
01/04/2008 12:50

you are right paul90. I never realised until you mentioned it, that he hadn't mentioned the word reunification. Well done for spotting that.



Talat and the Turkish general have said that the Turkish troops will pull out only when their is permanent peace. Again no mention of reunification.

Of course, Talat has to keep Turkey happy as well as the GC's so he will choose he words wisely, with Turkey in mind. As well as ensuring a safe future for the TC's Talat will be ensuring a safe future for himself too. In any reunification he could find himself in the political wilderness. He has more power at the moment. Why risk that.

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
01/04/2008 13:38

hi guys

i read general buykanit statements here in turkey when he got back from north cyprus on sunday and he is basically saying the turkish armed forces will not leave the island until they feel their brothers and sisters are fully guarenteed safe and a fair and peacefull solution is in place on the island no mention of cyprus being reunified, and in my view just because the two leaders have met and talked and agreed to open the lokamca gate on lokmaca street not ledra street like many people call it even on this forum it does not mean the country will be unified there are many other gates that are open and still many that are closed at the end of the day its just another gate even thou it is quite a symbolic because it was the first place where it was closed in the 60's and it also does not mean this is a big step towards a fair and peacefull solution and in my view why should the army leave they have been fullfilling their mission since 1974 to present date and 1974 is a date when all injustices over our turkish cypriots brothers and sisters stoped not the begining of the cyprus question and problem

warm regards to all

ukturk

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
01/04/2008 14:52

Makes sense Erkan. Totally agree.

Of course the GC's will be reading these statements. Talat is setting out the conditions for the negotiations.

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
01/04/2008 15:27

John lennon's song "imagine" spring's to mind.

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
02/04/2008 00:31

Hi all,

Its been a while since we had a proper debate on here about the political issues that affect northern cyprus.Thanks for starting the ball rolling burnsy.Lots of twists and turns to come and i suppose we will all still be chewing the cud about this particular issue this time next year,

enjoy whats left of your evening,

Paul.



Sorry Erkan i meant to say lokmaka honest, lol

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
10/04/2008 21:07

Hi all,

Do you agree that one of the biggest stumbling blocks on the road to re-unification would be persuading the turkish troops to withdraw from the north.Can anyone see this happening if not wouldnt the talks hit a stalemate,



Regards,

Paul.

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
11/04/2008 11:01

hi paul

cos you have been away for a couple of days you probabley missed out on this discussion take a look at this post

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/2109.asp and my posts 8 and 13 for what i think of unification

regards

ukturk

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
11/04/2008 20:22

Thanks Erkan,

very informative posting as usual,have a good weekend,

Paul.