Greek Cypriots

When Cyprus intercommunal talks started in 1968, the target of Turkish Cypriots in the process was to negotiate "local autonomy."

After the collapse of the Cyprus intercommunal talks and with the Greek Cypriot side insisting on taking unilateral actions in utilizing the offshore wealth of the island, tension started to build up with the start of drilling by French Total in Cyprus' offshore Block 11 on July 13.

Turkey on Aug. 9 criticized "baseless" allegations from the Greek Foreign Ministry regarding commemoration events in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Aug. 8, marking the 53rd anniversary of the Erenköy Resistance. 

Tensions between Athens and Ankara were reignited Wednesday in the aftermath of celebrations on Tuesday by Turkish Cypriots to commemorate napalm bombs being dropped on the Tylliria region in northwestern Cyprus during intercommunal clashes on the island in 1964.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said on Monday “at the current stage, there is no decision to open Varosha”, adding that in order to do so all legal and political aspects need to be taken into consideration and such an opening should be adapted to the parameters of the United Nations.

Everyone has an idea about the intractability of the Cyprus problem as well as the need to find a resolution for it. What kind of settlement should the island have? More than 50 years of intercommunal talks have failed many times in many attempts to resolve the problem.

A settlement in Cyprus is almost impossible unless the two sides on the island manage to confess the crimes they committed and apologize to each other. How can the two people of the island establish peace and start building a common future of confidence in each other while they have totally conflicting approaches as to how the Cyprus problem started?

An attack on Greek Cypriot tomb stones in the Kyrenia Christian Graveyard last week brought to the surface another embarrassing issue.

The hate crime which saw the destruction of several crosses by unknown assailants highlighted the fact that the graveyard in question has suffered from neglect and dilapidation.

In the aftermath of the failed talks to reunify Cyprus earlier in the month, Turkey is, according to sources, activating its Plan B in a bid to upgrade the occupied north's international status.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Thursday encouraging rival Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots "to sustain their commitment" to reunifying the divided Mediterranean island following the collapse of talks earlier this month.