Cyprus: Status of U.N. Negotiations

Publication Date: August 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: International relations

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Abstract:

Cyprus has been divided since 1974. Greek Cypriots, nearly 80% of the population, live in the southern two-thirds of the island. Turkish Cypriots live in the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC, recognized only by Turkey), with about 36,000 Turkish troops providing security. United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping forces maintain a buffer zone between the two. Since the late 1970s, the U.N., with U.S. support, has promoted negotiations aimed at creating a federal, bicommunal, bizonal republic on Cyprus.

The Secretary General's April 5, 1992, "Set of Ideas" was a framework for negotiations for an overall settlement. The Security Council implied that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash was responsible for its failure. and then called for confidence-building measures (CBMs). Both sides accepted CBMs in principle, but did not agree on the Secretary General's proposed method for recording clarifications.

The prospect of Cyprus's European Union accession triggered heightened international attention to Cyprus and complicated settlement efforts. The U.N. hosted inconclusive talks in July and August 1997. Denktash demanded that the TRNC be recognized as a state equal to the Greek-Cypriot side.

Clerides and Denktash participated in five rounds of U.N.-mediated proximity (indirect) talks beginning in December 1999. On November 8, 2000, Secretary General Annan gave the two leaders his "observations" on substance and procedure. In reaction, Denktash withdrew from talks. He and Clerides met on Cyprus on December 4, 2001, and began direct talks on January 16, 2002. On November 11, Annan submitted a comprehensive settlement plan based on Swiss and Belgian models. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots failed to agree on it at an EU summit in Copenhagen, December 12-13. After more negotiations, Annan announced on March 11, 2003, in The Hague, that his efforts had failed. Cyprus signed an accession treaty to join the EU on April 16. The December 14, 2003, Turkish Cypriot parliamentary election in northern Cyprus produced a new government determined to reach a settlement.

The U.N. led Cypriot President Papadopoulos and Denktash in negotiations from February 19-March 22, 2004. They failed to agree. Talks continued in Switzerland, with Greek and Turkish leaders present. Annan presented a final revised plan on March 31. In referenda on April 24, 76% of Greek Cypriot voters rejected the Plan, while 65% of Turkish Cypriot voters accepted it. Annan blamed Papadopoulos for the result. Cyprus joined the EU on May 1, 2004.

Members of Congress have urged the Administration to be more active, although they have not proposed an alternative to the U.N.-sponsored talks.