Tag: TNRC

One Week On from Geneva: Where Does Cyprus Go Next?

25 March, 2025

One week on from the informal UN-led talks in Geneva, the outcome is being viewed as yet another missed opportunity for meaningful progress on the Cyprus issue. While both sides agreed to minor confidence-building measures, the core proposal put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side — aimed at fostering structured cooperation — was rejected by the Greek Cypriot administration.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) had proposed the creation of a Cyprus Cooperation Council (CCC). This mechanism would bring together the two leaders, their negotiators, and relevant officials to cooperate on key island-wide issues, with the participation of guarantor powers and observers from the UN and the EU.

The CCC would have offered a practical framework for cooperation in areas such as:

  • Hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean
  • Electricity interconnectivity to the EU grid
  • Tourism, trade, and banking
  • Judicial matters and irregular migration
  • Freshwater management and climate change
  • Demining, green energy transition, and disaster preparedness

These proposals were clear, constructive, and left the door open for additional areas of collaboration. However, they were outright rejected by the Greek Cypriot side.

In contrast, the talks concluded with limited agreements on:

  • Advancing efforts to open new crossing points
  • Clearing landmines
  • Generating solar power in the buffer zone
  • Restoring cemeteries
  • Addressing climate and environmental issues
  • Establishing a technical committee on youth affairs

President Ersin Tatar welcomed these as ‘positive’ developments. However, far greater progress could have been achieved had the Greek Cypriot side engaged with the broader cooperative vision presented by the Turkish Cypriots.

This continued refusal to acknowledge the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people — as enshrined in the original 1960 Republic of Cyprus constitution — demonstrates an unwillingness to move beyond the outdated and failed federal framework.

As former UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw wrote last week in The Independent:

“To me, the answer to this issue is simple. The only realistic way forward for the island is a two-state solution – a view shared by the TRNC and Turkey. The Greek Cypriots remain doggedly committed to the long failed federal proposal.”

We echo those words.

It is time for the international community to recognise the reality on the ground. Turkish Cypriots are ready to work in good faith, but the future of Cyprus must be built on sovereign equality and peaceful coexistence between two states — not on continued obstruction, isolation, or denial.

The Persistent Threat of Landmines in Cyprus: A Call for Action

21 February, 2025

Over 25 years ago, Princess Diana captured the world’s attention by walking through an Angolan minefield, shining a light on the devastating human cost of landmines. Her tireless advocacy not only pushed governments to confront this “plague on Earth” but also led to the landmark Ottawa Treaty, a global commitment to banning these hidden killers. Yet, decades later, the fight against landmines remains far from over.

The enduring presence of landmines in Cyprus is a tragic reminder of the island’s troubled history and the unresolved conflict between its communities. These hidden remnants of war pose a daily threat to lives, impede social and economic development, and serve as a symbolic barrier to reconciliation.

Despite international calls for action and the availability of financial and technical assistance, efforts to remove these deadly hazards have been obstructed – most notably by the inaction of Greek Cypriot authorities.

Landmines affect over two million square metres of land in Cyprus, rendering vast areas unusable for agriculture or development. While nearly 30,000 mines have been removed at a cost of over €14 million, an estimated €7 million more is needed to clear the remaining minefields.

As of 2022, there remained 29 suspected hazardous areas on the island. Specifically, there are three landmine areas under Greek Cypriot jurisdiction and one under Turkish Cypriot jurisdiction, all adjacent to the border.

Progress has been frustratingly slow, with demining operations hampered by Greek Cypriot resistance to granting access to known minefields. This reluctance stands in stark contrast to the urgency of the situation: landmines grow more unstable and dangerous over time, posing an increasing risk to anyone living or working near them.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has shown a willingness to address this issue, working with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) to clear minefields within its territory.

Turkish Cypriot authorities have repeatedly invited cooperation from the Greek Cypriot side to expedite demining across the island, but these overtures have often been met with indifference or limited engagement.

Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot leadership’s failure to act undermines their claims of seeking peace and coexistence, as unaddressed minefields continue to endanger lives and erode trust between the communities.

The humanitarian impact of this neglect is profound. Unmarked or poorly maintained minefields pose an immediate danger to civilians, particularly in buffer zones where both communities sometimes venture.

Demining must be considered a shared responsibility to the whole island and a legacy owed to future generations. Beyond the physical threat, landmines serve as a symbol of division and mistrust, hindering efforts to build a united future for Cyprus.

This inaction also raises serious questions about accountability. Cyprus, the UK, Türkiye, and Greece are all signatories to the Mine Ban Treaty, which obligates them to take proactive steps to eliminate landmines.

As a guarantor of Cyprus’s independence, the UK has a moral responsibility to advocate for stronger demining efforts and ensure that all parties come to the table to address this urgent humanitarian issue. This can only be achieved with David Lammy opening dialogue with all parties on the Island.

Clearing landmines is not just a matter of safety; it is a vital step toward promoting reconciliation and rebuilding trust. Removing these remnants of conflict would demonstrate goodwill and commitment to a more peaceful Cyprus.

The Greek Cypriot leadership must move beyond empty rhetoric and take tangible action required to resolve this issue, working with the TRNC and international partners.

The legacy of landmines cannot be ignored. For the safety and prosperity of both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, immediate and decisive action is needed to remove these hidden dangers and pave the way for a better future for all people on the island.