Conflict resolution in Cyprus : intergovernmental vs. supranational methods

Abstract

The Cyprus problem has been on the international agenda for more than forty years, with its inception in the 1960s. Traditional methods of Conflict resolution and peace building led to nowhere. On the other hand, the European Union, with its innovative methods of soft security managed to narrow down the gap between the two communities. Therefore there is hope that in the near future, with the help of the EU, Cyprus would become a united state once more. Cyprus ought to be a classical example as to how conflicts should be targeted and solved in the new World order, where coercive measures no longer play a leading role. Peace-talks were, however, not very fruitful and previous efforts have not led to a solution. The Turkish-Cypriot Communities have found themselves at a crossroad, with two different results. They could either follow the Southern part of the island, join the EU and put an end to partition whilst forming a federated Cyprus, or else continue with the saga of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It seems that the former is the most attractive solution of the two. The European Union has come out as a very innovative player in international relations and conflict resolution. And clearly the establishment of a united Cyprus with a government which encourages economic growth and protects the rights and culture of every citizen of the island is the main aim of the EU itself, mainly because the EU craves not only security within its boarders but also at its fringes, and the Cyprus problem is a weakness at the boarders of the Union. Therefore where all other solutions have failed, the reality of membership under a federal structure may provide Cyprus with a workable solution.