Solving the ' minority ' problem in Cyprus a historical account

Abstract

This article examines the unhappy history of the Turkish Cypriot 'minority' in Cyprus. On the basis of criteria generally accepted in political science, it is arguable that they had every right in 1983 to secede from the Republic of Cyprus. They have nevertheless agreed in principle to a federal solution, even though two-state federations are very difficult to operate successfully. Yet the UN and the EU, and even Turkey, have supported prolonged but unsuccessful attempts to bring about a federal solution. If the Turkish Cypriots did enter into a federation with the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, they would find it well nigh impossible to obtain permanent derogations with regard to residence, property ownership and the control of the economy. It now seems unlikely that a federation will be established. Other ways forward could be a Taiwan-type solution or a 'velvet divorceas the Turkish Cypriots describe the breakup of the former Czechoslovakia.