Cyprus reunification can bring huge economic benefits
A solution to the decades-old Cyprus problem will not only reunite the divided island, but also bring at least 1.8 billion euro every year in new business with Turkey and other opportunities, according to an academic report released on Thursday.
The report, entitled "The day after: Commercial opportunities following a solution to the Cyprus problem," was based on a research sponsored by the International Peace Research Institute in Norway.
A group of Greek and Turkish Cypriot researchers conducted the survey. According to their calculations, the reunification of Cyprus would bring each Cypriot family a dividend of 5,500 euro per year in the first seven years.
Such a solution will especially bring benefits for tourism, construction, university education sectors, finance and legal service and trade companies. Trade in goods and services with Turkey is expected to boom.
"A just settlement will mean increased security for the people of Cyprus, greater stability for the region, increase in trade and provision of services, the creation of conditions that will allow culture and art to flourish, and the emergence of Cyprus as a model of peaceful coexistence in a world riven by division," said Michael Moller, the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Cyprus.
He added that the research "makes an extremely valuable contribution to discussion about the future of the island."
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when the Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of Cyprus following a coup by a group of Greek officers, who pushed for a quick union with Greece.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared breakaway from Cyprus and set up "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is only recognized by Turkey.
Ankara does not recognize the government of Cyprus Republic, which only controls the Greek Cypriot south. The isolated north has to trade with other parts of the world through Turkey, with the economy depending heavily on financial aids from Ankara.
Expectations seem very high recently as both the newly elected Greek Cypriot president and Turkish Cypriot leader have agreed to meet very soon to revive the stalled reunification process.
Monday, March 10, 2008
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From NEOS KOSMOS Greek Australian Weekly newspaper.
OPINION - 13 Jul 2009.
Nicolas Mottas
More than six years since the accession of the Republic of Cyprus in the EU, the process for island’s reunification seems to have stalled.
The International Community seems to have washed it’s hands of Cyprus, without taking any new initiative for a solution, after the rejection of the notorious “Annan Plan” in 2004.
However, the present static situation eternalises the island’s division and the presence of the Turkish armed forces in the occupied north. That has to be changed.
Both Greece and Cyprus have to shape a new strategy, based on the New York and Lucerne experiences, pressing the UN to undertake a new initiative for negotiations.
That new strategy must have four fundamental priorities:
1. The EU factor
The accession of the Republic of Cyprus in the EU was indeed of great historical and political importance.
However, the membership itself cannot reunify the island.
But it creates the political context within which the European constitutional principles could be incorporated in a possible plan for solution. From their side, the Turkish Cypriots (must) have the opportunity to benefit from these principles, as long as they recognise the Republic of Cyprus as their representative in international relations.
That has it’s own significance - the Turkish Cypriot citizens must be ensured that their future is within the common EU family and not in a non-recognised protectorate of Turkey (the “TRNC”).
2. An International Issue
The nature of the Cyprus Issue is that it consists an international case of military invasion and violent partition.
It is not a bilateral issue between Greece and Turkey.
In any case, it is in the interest of Athens and Nicosia to keep the negotiations within the United Nations framework, in order to guarantee that any solution will incorporate the meaning of the UN Security Council Resolutions which vindicate the Greek positions (e.g. Refugees, missing Greek Cypriots, properties etc).
3. Construction of good-will spirit
The recent meritorious efforts of President Dimitris Christofias to create trustworthy relations with the Turkish Cypriot side consist a positive stance.
Both the two communities have to make some steps which could invigorate their co-operation, like the symbolic removal of the Ledra Street barricade in April 2008.
From it’s side, the Turkish Cypriot leadership has to take some, maybe dolorous but generous, decisions: It should stop the illegal selling of Greek Cypriot properties to foreigners, cancelling any exchange that has been done until now.
Furthermore, a significant step would be the permission for the reconstruction of the city of Famagusta and it’s transfer to the administration of the United Nations, thus complying with the Resolution 550 of UN Security Council of 1984.
4. A New Plan is needed
Any possible UN initiative for solution must avoid the profound constitutional deficiencies of the 2004 ‘Annan Plan’.
A new reunification Plan must take into serious account the Greek Cypriot concerns and, at the same time, it has to assure that there are all the needed, constitutional and legal, guarantees for the uneventful political function of a Federal bizonal bicommunal Cypriot state.
Greece and Cyprus must work together, pressing the United Nations and their EU partners to undertake new initiatives.
Action is what is needed, as long as the international community cannot stay impassive in front of Nicosia’s 35 year-old ‘Berlin Wall’.
Having the International Law with their side and with a strong commitment to the aim of the island’s reunification, Athens and Nicosia must be ready to take part in a new round of tough negotiations under the sponsorship of the UN.
That will be in favour of our national interests - the common interests of Greece and Cyprus.
from: http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/cyprus-new-strategy-reunification-mottas
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