Cyprus talks keep failing – maybe it’s time to try something a little different

Negotiations on settling the international dispute over Cyprus have hit a wall in January 2017 – yet again. For months, the latest round of reunification talks have been touted as a real chance to finally seal a deal, even though people close to the discussions repeatedly reported that very little had been agreed.

It’s time to abandon the fetish of the comprehensive solution – an idea that has acquired almost mystical qualities as the one and only way to resolve the Cyprus divide. Instead, it is time to think about how to negotiate a step-by-step solution, one that will give a roadmap for a peace that is transformative and sustainable.

• Primary Source

http://www.uncyprustalks.org/ http://www.uncyprustalks.org/

ESO: Background information: Secretary-General’s Press Encounter at the Conference on Cyprus, Geneva, 12 January 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/secretary-generals-press-encounter-at-the-conference-on-cyprus-geneva-12-january-2017/

ESO: Background information: Is a Cyprus Deal in Sight? http://www.europeansources.info/record/judy-asks-is-a-cyprus-deal-in-sight/

Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2017: Cyprus talks on the brink of collapse http://www.eurotopics.net/en/174716/cyprus-talks-on-the-brink-of-collapse

Cyprus Mail, 20.02.17: President ready to attend leaders’ meeting, spokesman says http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/02/20/president-ready-attend-leaders-meeting-spokesman-says/

Politico, 21.02.17: Cyprus talks on the rocks over school history rule http://www.politico.eu/article/cyprus-talks-on-the-rocks-over-school-history-rule/

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2017: Who is preventing a deal in Cyprus? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/176392/who-is-preventing-a-deal-in-cyprus

Politico, 27.03.17: UN to host Cyprus leaders in push to restart reunification talks http://www.politico.eu/article/un-to-host-cyprus-leaders-in-push-to-restart-reunification-talks/

---