Coalition pact revives Cyprus EU hopes

Cyprus peace talks are on the verge of revival, raising hopes that a unified island could still join the European Union on May 1.

The previous deadlock was broken when two Turkish Cypriot parties that favour a settlement for the divided island announced they would form a coalition government after the recent elections.

Veteran Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash also appeared to be softening his previous hardline stance against a United Nations reunification plan.

Returning from talks in Ankara with the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Denktash said the plan was “still on table,” but he warned that it still presented obstacles for the Turkish Cypriot community. 

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey seized its northern territory in response to a Greek military coup aimed at bringing the island fully under Athens control.

The latest talks to reunify the island, guided by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, broke down in March and neither side has made any moves to revive them.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenther Verheugen on Monday expressed optimism that the latest developments could produce a solution before the EU enlarges to 25 member states in May.

“We have now a very, very good chance to resume talks under the leadership of the United Nations very, very soon,” Verheugen told AFP.

“There is a possibility to organise the accession of a united Cyprus before the 1st of May. It’s still possible. I can’t say whether it’s likely or not. That depends a little bit on developments in the next future,” he said.

The coalition deal was struck on Sunday between Mehmet Ali Talat’s Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Democrat Party (DP) of Serdar Denktash, son of the Turkish Cypriot leader.

Talat, a strong supporter of reunification and poised to take over as prime minister, aims to put new momentum into the peace process.

But with only 26 of the 50 seats in parliament, his coalition government may struggle to lead forceful negotiations for a settlement.

If the next round of talks fail only the larger Greek Cyprus will enter the EU in May, leaving the breakaway Turkish republic in the north, which is only recognised by Ankara, even more isolated in the international community.  

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