The Cyprus Problem and Its Course: Hopes, Obstacles and Political Relations
The Cyprus Problem is an internationally recognized unresolved situation that has been going on for nearly 60 years. This problem started with the separation between the Turkish and Greek parts of the island of Cyprus, and then became more complicated with international interventions. Today, the Cyprus Problem maintains its importance as a matter of debate whether it is one step closer to a solution.
There are many hopes and obstacles about the course of the Cyprus Problem. Firstly, the negotiations held in 2019 offered promising developments regarding the settlement of the Cyprus Problem. However, the unsuccessful conclusion of the negotiations and the cooperation agreements between Israel, Egypt and Greece on natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean made it difficult to take a step involving Turkey. However, the recent initiation of a peaceful dialogue between the leaders of Turkey and Greece is seen as a promising development for the resolution of the Cyprus Problem.
At the beginning of the obstacles are the attitudes of the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece against not recognizing the Turkish section and their inclusion as a separate state. The fact that the Republic of Cyprus does not recognize the Turkish part and puts pressure on Turkey with its membership to the European Union weakens Turkey’s efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
However, the biggest obstacle in the Cyprus negotiations in recent years has been the differences of opinion on land and transformations. The opposition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to the annexation by the Greek Cypriot administration is seen as an obstacle to reaching an agreement on the establishment of a unified federal structure.
The solution of the Cyprus Problem is not just about political relations. Discussions on the natural resources of the island of Cyprus also complicate the solution of this problem. Discussions on oil and natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean have led to tensions between Turkey and Greece. For this reason, the solution of the Cyprus Problem should also be addressed in line with the objectives of regional cooperation and economic development.
In conclusion, although there are hopeful developments for the solution of the Cyprus Problem, there are many obstacles to reach a solution. In addition to political relations, issues such as economic cooperation and management of natural resources need to be addressed in the solution process. However, the recent peaceful dialogue between Turkey and Greece can be seen as a promising step towards a solution to the Cyprus Problem.
