The United Nations has launched a new mediation to unite the Mediterranean island. The last attempt was failed, 2017. The biggest Problem lies in the sea in front of the holiday Paradise.
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Approximation in Cyprus?
The control point in the pedestrian zone in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia is a tourist attraction. On the way from the internationally recognized South to the Turkish-occupied North of Nicosia, a sign above the control booth hanging: “The last divided capital”, is because – for some of the guests in Europe and holiday makers of the popular Mediterranean island may be felt as an eerie feeling in the memory of the Cold war and the Berlin wall-the city of Berlin.
Passage: border crossing point in Nicosia
For Niyazi Kizilyürek, it is everyday life. The Cypriot MEP goes through the pedestrian zone. He is normally only a few meters, again and again passers-by to shake the 60-Year-old friendly Hand. In may, he was elected to the EU Parliament, and exudes since then, new hope: He lives in Cyprus-Turk, and works, but in the Greek-dominated South of the divided island. Along the dividing line of the helmet-soldiers and police officers on a United Nations buffer zone guards still blue, now, especially with cameras. It is the oldest existing UN Mission. In the pedestrian zone, you can call many of the holiday Mission of the UN. Since September 2003, the Transition in the pedestrian area of Nicosia, is opened. At that time, the Cypriot-Turkish leadership in the North was surprised that they made the wall permeable. Since then, however, a Association is not closer.
Failed Referendum In 2004
Cyprus has been divided since 1974. At the time, Turkey’s military intervened, after Cypriot Greek nationalists initially staged a coup, and then the connection to Greece. Turkey is the only country that recognizes the independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is regarded by the international community as part of the Republic of Cyprus.
Invasion: Turkish soldiers on the 20. Of July 1974 on Cyprus
In may 2004, Cyprus acceded to the European Union, previously, should be overcome with a Referendum for the division. The Greek Cypriots refused the unification Treaty, the majority of for you, he saw too many concessions to the Turkish North Cypriots. The hope is that with the enlargement of the EU, the Cyprus Problem is finally solved could not be caught.
A surprise success in the EU elections
Right next to the pedestrian Checkpoint, there’s a tavern that sells Turkish coffee is thriving, the Cypriot coffee is called. Niyazi Kizilyürek laughing, while he ordered one. The political scientist of the University of Nicosia in the Greek Cypriot part of the country, has left for his candidacy for the European Parliament the Professor’s chair. He is now the only one of the six Cypriot European Parliament members, the credible both island-can represent parts in the EU Parliament. After his studies in Germany, he was returned more than 20 years ago in his home to do research about the Greek-Turkish Drama of Cyprus and to teach.
For Cyprus in Brussels and Strasbourg: Niyazi Kizilyürek
He as a Turkish-born Cypriots went to the Greek South. Kizilyürek sees himself as a federalist, and his election success as a sign that “the nationalism on Cyprus” a defeat. The EU election in 2019, is a “victory for federalism,” he says. For winning the election, it’s not helped from the two island-Sharing. Alone 6000 Turkish Cypriots are specially came from the North in the polling stations in the South to choose him. “It is also much more might become”, he believes – if the Cypriot electoral system would be easier.
The UN is exploring new negotiations
When walking through the pedestrian zone, his language moves fluidly between Turkish, Greek, English and German. But its lightness flies when the conversation comes to the Problem with the gas reserves off Cyprus. “The big energy multinationals are all already there,” says Kizilyürek. In the Eastern Mediterranean crossing research vessels. The Problem is made more difficult question of the beginning of negotiations on the Cyprus. Because Turkey insists that the Cyprus Turks get their share of the Gas. The international community, first and foremost the EU, however, is on the Greek side and rejects the commitment of Turkey and their exploration ships in the Region.
Mediation: Jane Holl Lute (right) in conversation with the President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades
Now UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres starts a new attempt to get Greek and Turkish Cypriots back to the talks table. In August, it said in a statement to the United Nations: “The two heads of state and government have agreed, after the General Assembly of the United Nations at the end of September, a three-meeting with the Secretary-General to hold, in order to plan the way forward.” Jane Holl Lute, Guterres Cyprus-Charge leads separate discussions with Greek and Turkish Cypriots, in the hope to agree on a roadmap that would form the new round of Negotiations. Output is uncertain. The newly elected MEPs Kizilyürek is not about to rest on it. Regardless of whether the political talks succeed or not – “for me, it is essential that the people come together”. S says’and shakes a few hands.
Watch the Video 28:36
Cyprus: life on the border
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