Third Party Mediation Cyprus

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Third Party Mediation In The Cyprus Problem

“let us suggest an alternative. There is nothing to gain by stretching the conflict for another generation…We will have to bury our dead, they will have to bury their dead and we will end up with the same topography, the same demography, the same problems on the table and it will open a way towards Kosovo-Belfast type situation which we don’t need”

What exactly is meant by mediation?
“A process which is aimed attaining a settlement with the help of mediators”

The European Union
The European Union in not considered a direct or active mediator in the attempts to reach a settlement regarding Cyprus, but has become a major player in the negotiations due to the desire of Cyprus (Greek-Cyprus) to become a member of the European Union.

Cyprus has enjoyed close relations with the EU economically, politically, and socially. An EU report on Cyprus in 2000 stated the relationship in due to an “Association Agreement of 1973 and also a newer Accession partnership which is financially possible by EC council regulation no 555/2000 dated march 13 2000.

The European Union only recognizes the Greek Cypriot administration as the legitimate government of the republic of Cyprus. When “Cyprus” applied for membership into the European Union, the Greek Cypriot government applied on behalf of the both sides.

The Helsinki summit in Dec 1999 has linked the Cyprus issue to the inclusion of Turkey as a member of the EU. The Helsinki declaration says that Turkey must support the UN secretary General in efforts to resolve the Cyprus conflict. This concealed pressure was the reasoning behind Rauf Denktas inviting Greek Cypriot Clerdes to direct talks in December of 2001, interestingly enough after Denktas was on record in November of 2000 as saying there was “no point to stay on the negotiation table” after the “non-paper proposal” by The UN Secretary General. Turkey pr...