Will 2016 See The ‘Cyprus Problem’ Become The ‘Cyprus Solution’?

8 Jan 2016 Issue: 59 / 1

Cypriots will likely go to the ballots this year to vote on whether they want to reunite their island after 41 years of division. A positive outcome could lead to deals to pipe both Cypriot and Israeli gas to Turkey.

There is growing hope on the small island in the eastern Mediterranean that 2016 could see a solution to the 41-year-old Cyprus problem following a recent positive rapprochement of the leaders of both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

In the Greek controlled south, currently the solely recognized government on the island, there is optimism that a solution can be reached as both the ruling center-right party DISY and left wing AKEL, the main opposition party, are backing the current UN-brokered talks. Combined the two parties form a majority in the south. But, despite this, the emotional nature of the subject at hand means that even these parties’ supporters cannot be expected to blindly follow their leadership. (CONTINUED - 1107 WORDS)