2008–2012 Cyprus talks

Cyprus peace process talks The 2008-2012 Cyprus talks were held as part of the long-going peace process, in order to resolve the Cyprus dispute. The talks failed to achieve their goals. An opinion poll conducted in 2010 reported that 84% of Greek Cypriots and 70% of Turkish Cypriots assumed that: "the other side would never accept the actual compromises and concessions that are needed for a fair and viable settlement".Cyprus 2015 Initiative: Solving the Cyprus Problem: Hopes and Fears; 2011, p. 38 http://www.digital-development-debates.org/issue-09-prejudice--conflict--cyprus-prejudice-and-bias-prevent-reunification.html UNDP 25 March 2020 25 March 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200325175904/http://www.digital-development-debates.org/issue-09-prejudice--conflict--cyprus-prejudice-and-bias-prevent-reunification.html dead At the beginning of 2013, Cyprus negotiations were suspended because of a change of government in the Greek Cypriot community of Cyprus.Cyprus Mail https://web.archive.org/web/20140219012448/http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/02/01/ban-says-two-sides-close-to-joint-statement/ 2014-02-19 2 February 2014 2008 elections in the Republic of Cyprus Cypriot presidential election, 2008 thumb|Opening of Ledra Street in April 2008 thumb|Feridun Sinirlioğlu and Andreas Mavroyiannis (27 February 2014) In the 2008 presidential elections, Papadopoulos was defeated by AKEL candidate Dimitris Christofias, who pledged to restart talks on reunification immediately.CNN http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/24/cyprus.election.ap/index.html Christofias wins Cyprus presidency 24 February 2008 25 February 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080229001913/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/24/cyprus.election.ap/index.html 29 February 2008 dead Speaking on the election result, Mehmet Ali Talat stated that "this forthcoming period will be a period during which the Cyprus problem can be solved within a reasonable space of time – despite all difficulties – provided that there is will".TRNC Presidency website http://www.kktcb.eu/index.php?tpl=show_news&id=242 https://web.archive.org/web/20080305101336/http://www.kktcb.eu/index.php?tpl=show_news&id=242 usurped March 5, 2008 President Talat's Statement on 25 February 2008 on the Results of the Greek Cypriot Elections 27 February 2008 27 February 2008 Christofias held his first meeting as president with the Turkish Cypriot leader on 21 March 2008 in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7308128.stm Cyprus leaders begin peace talks BBC News 21 March 2008 At the meeting, the two leaders agreed to launch a new round of "substantive" talks on reunification, and to reopen Ledra Street, which has been cut in two since the intercommunal violence of the 1960s and has come to symbolise the island's division.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7308912.stm Cyprus peace back on the agenda Tabitha Morgan BBC News 21 March 2008 On 3 April 2008, after barriers had been removed, the Ledra Street crossing was reopened in the presence of Greek and Turkish Cypriot officials.Ledra Street crossing opens in Cyprus. Associated Press article published on International Herald Tribune Website, 3 April 2008 Preparatory talks A first meeting of the technical committees was set to take place on 18 April 2008.http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2008/04/17/nb-03 Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot negotiators to meet Friday (SETimes.com) SETimes.com 17 April 2008 22 March 2009 Talat and Christofias met socially at a cocktail party on 7 May 2008,http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/turkey/8729291.asp?gid=231&sz=34463 UN welcomes Cyprus reunification efforts as the committees meet Hurriyet.com.tr 22 March 2009 and agreed to meet regularly to review the progress of the talks so far.http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/turkey/8889614.asp?gid=231&sz=77787 Turkish-Greek Cypriot leaders to meet on May 23 Hurriyet.com.tr 22 March 2009 A second formal summit was held on 23 May 2008 to review the progress made in the technical committees.http://diepresse.com/home/politik/aussenpolitik/382492/index.do Nächster Zypern-Gipfel am 23. Mai " DiePresse.com Diepresse.com 8 May 2008 22 March 2009 At a meeting on 1 July 2008, the two leaders agreed in principle on the concepts of a single citizenship and a single sovereignty,http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2008/07/03/feature-02 Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot leaders agree on single sovereignty, citizenship (SETimes.com) SETimes.com 22 March 2009 and decided to start direct reunification talks very soon;https://www.ft.com/content/c1ef3dee-47a1-11dd-93ca-000077b07658 / World – Cyprus leaders to start peace talks Ft.com 2 July 2008 22 March 2009 on the same date, former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer was appointed as the new UN envoy for Cyprus.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2008/07/20087133324373260.html Europe – Downer appointed as UN Cyprus envoy Al Jazeera English 1 July 2008 22 March 2009 Christofias and Talat agreed to meet again on 25 July 2008 for a final review of the preparatory work before the actual negotiations would start.http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6440401.html Cypriot leaders meet to discuss key issues for reunification talks – People's Daily Online English.people.com.cn 2 July 2008 22 March 2009 Christofias was expected to propose a rotating presidency for the united Cypriot state.http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2008/07/23/nb-07 Christofias to propose rotating presidency in Cyprus (SETimes.com) SETimes.com 23 July 2008 22 March 2009 Talat stated he expected they would set a date to start the talks in September, and reiterated that he would not agree to abolishing the guarantor roles of Turkey and Greece.http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6457698.html Talks for Cyprus solution expected to start in September – People's Daily Online English.people.com.cn 22 March 2009http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2008/07/24/nb-06 Talat says Cyprus reunification talks will start in September (SETimes.com) SETimes.com 24 July 2008 22 March 2009 After the conclusion of negotiations, a reunification plan would be put to referendums in both communities.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7525266.stm Europe | Cyprus sets date for peace talks BBC News 25 July 2008 22 March 2009 In December 2008, the Athenian socialist daily newspaper To Vima described a "crisis" in relations between Christofias and Talat, with the Turkish Cypriots beginning to speak openly of a loose "confederation"http://www.tovima.gr/default.asp?pid=2&ct=32&artId=244702 Κρίση στις σχέσεις Χριστόφια και Ταλάτ (Crisis in relations between Christofias and Talat) 30 November 2008 To Vima Greek 1 December 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20120430011002/http://www.tovima.gr/default.asp/?pid=2 30 April 2012 deadMarch 2009, an idea strongly opposed by NicosiaDecember 2008. Tensions were further exacerbated by Turkey's harassment of Cypriot vessels engaged in oil exploration in the island'sFebruary 2009 Exclusive Economic Zone, and by the Turkish Cypriot leadership's alignment with Ankara'sFebruary 2009 claim that Cyprus has no continental shelfMarch 2009. On 29 April 2009, Talat stated that if the Court of Appeal of England and Wales (that will put the last point in the Orams' case) makes a decision just like in the same spirit with the decision of European Court of Justice (ECJ) then the Negotiation Process in Cyprus will be damagedhttp://www.brtk.cc/index.php/lang/en/cat/2/news/48882 https://web.archive.org/web/20130606101505/http://www.brtk.cc/index.php/lang/en/cat/2/news/48882 2013-06-06 President of Turkish Cyprus Talat holds three and a half hour meeting with political party leaders regard Orams case in such a way that it will never be repaired once more.müzakere sürecinin bir daha düzeltilmesi mümkün olmayan bir şekilde zedeleneceği uyarısında bulunuldu means in such a way that it will never be repaired once more in English. https://web.archive.org/web/20130606095231/http://www.brtk.cc/index.php/lang/tr/cat/2/news/48875 2013-06-06 Hence, the expression in BRTK Turkish web site is missing some parts in BRTK English web site. Translation to English is corrected in Wikipedia. The European Commission warned the Republic of Cyprus not to turn Orams' case legal fight to keep their holiday home into a political battle over the divided island.March 2020 On 31 January 2010, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Cyprus to accelerate talks aimed at reuniting the country.Ban holds talks with rival Cyprus leaders. The Hindu. 1 February 2010. The election of nationalist Derviş Eroğlu of the National Unity Party as president in Northern Cyprus on 18 April is expected to complicate reunification negotiations.http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2010/04/nationalist-wins-northern-cyprus-election/67727.aspx Toby Vogel EuropeanVoice.com Nationalist wins northern Cyprus election 19 April 2010 Talks were resumed after the elections in late May, however, and Eroǧlu stated on 27 May 2010 he was now also in favour of a federal state, a change from his previous positions.http://derstandard.at/1271377644004/Neuer-Praesident-Nordzyperns-fuer-Bundesstaat Neuer Präsident Nordzyperns für Bundesstaat derStandard.at 2 April 2016 In early June 2010, talks reached an impasse and UN Special Advisor Alexander Downer called on the two leaders to decide whether they wanted a solution or not.http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/downer-you-can-t-have-it-both-ways/20100605 Downer: you can't have it both ways - Cyprus Mail 2016-05-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20100608031526/http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/downer-you-can-t-have-it-both-ways/20100605 2010-06-08 dead Tripartite meetings On 18 November 2010, 1st tripartite meeting (Ban, Christofias, Eroglu) occurred in New York City without any agreement over the main issues. On 26 January 2011, 2nd tripartite meeting (Ban, Christofias, Eroglu) occurred in Geneva, Switzerland without any agreement over the main issues. In March 2011, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reported, "The negotiations cannot be an open-ended process, nor can we afford interminable talks for the sake of talks".http://www.cyprusweekly.com.cy/main/92,1,283,0,17663-CYPRUS.aspx inCyprus - News of The Cyprus Weekly newspaper InCyprus 2 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20110926230539/http://www.cyprusweekly.com.cy/main/92,1,283,0,17663-CYPRUS.aspx 26 September 2011 usurped On 18 March 2011, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots realised 100th negotiation since April 2008 without any agreement over the main issues. By mid-2011, there was a renewed push for an end to negotiations by the end of 2011 in order to have a united Cyprus take over the EU presidency on 1 July 2012.http://en.trend.az/regions/met/turkey/1903256.html Turkish FM hopes for Cyprus reunification referendum in early 2012 9 July 2011 Trend 2 April 2016 3 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121003044344/http://en.trend.az/regions/met/turkey/1903256.html dead On 7 July 2011, the 3rd tripartite meeting (Ban, Christofias, Eroglu) occurred in Geneva, Switzerland without any agreement over the main issues. On 30–31 October 2011, the 4th tripartite meeting (Ban, Christofias, Eroglu) occurred in New York City without any agreement over the main issues. Ban said that the talks are coming to an end.http://www.unficyp.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=5057&tt=graphic&lang=l1 UN SG Ban Ki-moon on the situation in Cyprus 2016-05-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20120429160839/http://www.unficyp.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=5057&tt=graphic&lang=l1 2012-04-29 dead On 23–24 January 2012, the 5th tripartite meeting (Ban, Christofias, Eroglu) occurred in New York City without any agreement over the main issues. Ban said "I will be providing a report to the Security Council on the status of the negotiations at the end of February. At the end of March, I will seek a review of the process from my Special Adviser, Alexander Downer. If his report is positive, consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions and following consultations with the two sides, I intend to call a multilateral conference in late April or early May".Cyprus Mail https://web.archive.org/web/20120125185813/http://www.cyprus-mail.com/greentree/un-chief-urges-leaders-make-decisive-steps-towards-solution/20120125 2012-01-25 25 January 2012 On 21 April 2012, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said "there is not enough progress on core issues of reunification talks for calling an international conference".UN News Center 21 April 2012 International observers qualified the situation as the "collapse of reunification talks",euractiv 23 April 2012 "last chance for Cyprus reunification lost",todayszaman https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093437/http://www.todayszaman.com/news-278202-last-chance-for-cyprus-reunification-lost-as-un-calls-off-conference.html 2016-03-04 22 April 2012 "UN-led rounds of talks have failed"http://euobserver.com/political/116828 Debt-ridden Cyprus takes on EU presidency 2 July 2012 2 April 2016 and the "failure of UN Cyprus campaign for reunification".Examiner (Michael McGuire) 22 April 2012 On 27 April 2012, Special Advisor of the Secretary-General Alexander Downer said "If the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Leaders cannot agree with each other on a model for a united Cyprus, then United Nations cannot make them".UNFICYP official website https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043644/http://www.unficyp.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=5214 2014-08-08 27 April 2012 Breakdown of talks At the end of September 2012, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Dervis Eroglu said that joint committees with the Greek Cypriot side had been set up to take confidence-building measures.Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot parties set up committees http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=96183 https://web.archive.org/web/20121213042253/http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=96183 usurped December 13, 2012 worldbulletin.net worldbulletin.net 4 October 2012 In 2012, the European Union(EU)-funded project "Reconciliation and Peace Economics in Cyprus" found that "There was little hope for a settlement in the island and the UN-sponsored talks again failed". Dr. M. Kate Flynn, University of the West of England(UWE), Bristol, United Kingdom At the beginning of 2013, Cyprus negotiations were suspended because of a change of government in the Greek Cypriot community of Cyprus.Cyprus Mail https://web.archive.org/web/20140219012448/http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/02/01/ban-says-two-sides-close-to-joint-statement/ 2014-02-19 2 February 2014 Aftermath 2014 Cyprus talks On 29 May 2013, President of Rep. of Cyprus, Anastasiades, said "Any new round of talks will not begin from the point they ended in 2012".http://cyprus-mail.com/peace-talks-to-take-step-back-before-going-forward Peace talks to take step back before going forward Cyprus Mail 2 April 2016August 2026 InternetArchiveBot On 11 February 2014, Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General's special adviser, stepped down.Cyprus Mail 11 Feb. 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222214759/http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/02/11/downer-steps-down/ 2014-02-22 Downer steps down In February 2014, the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders declared a Joint Communique.Cyprus Mail 11 Feb 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222214542/http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/02/11/joint-declaration-final-version-as-agreed-between-the-two-leaders/ 22 February 2014 Joint Declaration leading to a new round of talks. References 30em Category:Cyprus peace process Category:2000s in Cypriot politics Category:2010s in Cypriot politics Category:21st century in Cyprus Category:21st century in Northern Cyprus