New Thinking in Cyprus

Abstract

Although the term “new thinking” has a variety of meanings for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, most people agree that it refers to the desire for change. Even though the new thinking, in the form of new leadership and the resumption of negotiations designed to address the breach between the two sides, must contend with old and bitter memories of the Greek Cypriot move to merge the island with Greece under the rule of the authoritarian junta and Turkey's invasion, which severed one part of the island from the other by force, the current attempt to remove some barriers and use a two-track approach to resolve a conflict that has lasted for more than three decades, making Cyprus one of the last divided countries in the world, is one that the incoming president should encourage not only because there is a momentum for positive change for all of the people of Cyprus but also because it is in the U.S. national interest to influence the direction of that change in a way that will promote good relations between Greece and Turkey, members of NATO, and improve U.S. ties with its allies.

Notes

Nicosia, Agreement on Working Groups and Technical Committees to Continue Their Work. Statement by Greek Cypriot adviser George Iavovou, April 24, 2008.

Address by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, at the Ceremony of His Investiture at the House of Representatives, February 29, 2008.

Interview with Buket Kop, Second Secretary, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Washington Office, May 2, 2008.

Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou—Interview with CNA, April 12, 2008.

Andrew Borowiec, “Communist First to Lead EU Member,” The Washington Times, February 25, 2008.

Acknowledgment, Congress of the United States, Washington, D.C., August 2, 2006.

TRNC President Talat's Statement on the Results of the Greek Cypriot Elections, February 26, 2008.

Conversation with Ambassador Kakouris of the Republic of Cyprus, Washington, D.C., April 30, 2008.