Two-state solution is the only way to solve Cyprus problem
The two communities in Cyprus got separated about 60 years ago. And also 50 years have passed since they officially split up. Now it’s time for the citizens of Cyprus to think about the two-state solution. Also, the United Nations should try for it.
Nowadays, the two-state solution is also proposed for Israel and Palestine. This is the only way to end the ongoing conflict between them. Many people across the world also stand in favor of this idea but it’s been really hard to make this happen. The biggest problem is that Israel’s illegal settlements in Palestinian areas have made it almost impossible to create two separate states.
But Cyprus is free of this type of problem. So, this is the best time to solve the complexity of this nation with a two-state solution.
Many years ago, the Turkish and Greek Cyprioys were separated. Back in 1963-64, then the number of Turkish Cypriots was less than the Greek Cypriots. Due to this, the Greek Cypriots forced Turkish Cypriots to leave their homes . This forceful compulsion made 25,000 Turkish Cypriots become refugees.
They moved into 4 smaller areas. In order to stop fighting, the United Nations brought in peacekeepers. If we think of the relationship between the two groups as a marriage, this split was like a breakup after just four years.
About 60 years, both sides tried their best to live together and agreed on a single agreement but every attempt failed. This is the reason that Cyprus is often called the “graveyard of UN diplomats.”
Both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots lived separately for approximately 50 years. They lived in northern and southern Cyprus. In 1974, Greece tried to hold Cyprus and at that time Turkey stepped in to protect the Turkish Cypriots.
As the two communities already live in separate areas it is not difficult to agree on a two-state solution. This is the only way to end the fight and bring peace. However, for Greek Cypriots, the main issue is the land ownership. Right now, both sides control land that belongs to people on the other side, causing problems and uncertainty.
A possible solution could involve swapping or compensating land, which would resolve many issues. This could also open up new opportunities by freeing up valuable land, like the UN buffer zone and Varosha, for economic development on both sides.
The UNSC made the biggest mistake at the time of fighting between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, in 1963-64. The Council should have found that both of these communities have equal founders of the Republic. Also, the Turkish Cypriots were the main victims of the fight. Instead of this, they passed resolution 186. This unfair decision gave full control to a Greek Cypriot-only government and ignored the agreed-upon constitution involving all communities and countries. This also resulted in Turkish Cypriots being ignored and left out internationally for the past 60 years, even before the 1974 events. At the same time, the Greek Cypriots benefited from being in control. Now the two-state solution is the only way to bring justice. It is also allowing Turkish Cypriots to gain the recognition and opportunities they deserve and ending the unfair restrictions imposed on them.
The two-state solution might fix the problems that started in the 1960s. It was the time when the two different communities were forced to live together.
Glafcos Clerides, a Greek Cypriot politician, once said that Cyprus was set up with a flag and anthem that neither Greeks nor Turks felt represented them. This made it hard for anyone to feel strongly about the country.
He also admitted he was frustrated that Cyprus didn’t unite with Greece, which shows he didn’t fully support the idea of Cyprus being independent and multicultural.
So, two state-solutions also allow both Greek and Turkish Cypriots to follow their own culture. They live there based on their religious beliefs also trade and work together.
They already cross the “Green Line” millions of times a year, visiting each other, enjoying vacations, eating out, and shopping, but they do this within their areas.
