Talks to reunify the divided island of Cyprus collapsed this morning after a tumultuous final session reportedly marred by yelling and drama.
Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, told a news conference: "I'm very sorry to tell you that despite the very strong commitment and engagement of all the delegations and different parties... the conference on Cyprus was closed without an agreement being reached."
Guterres hoped to reunite the island under Greek-Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akıncı, the Turkish-Cypriot leader. He insisted that "other initiatives" could be developed.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Diplomats said Turkey had appeared to be offering little to Greek-Cypriots wanting a full withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island, although they had indicated readiness to make concessions on Turkish-Cypriot demands for a rotating presidency, the other key issue.
Why is Cyprus divided?
Sectarian conflict erupted after the island gained independence from Britain in 1960, culminating in Turkey's invasion of the northern part of the island in 1974 and subsequent declaration of an independent breakaway state.
For more than 40 years, UN troops have patrolled a buffer zone separating Cyprus, an EU member state, from its unrecognised northern third.
The status of the Greek-Cypriots displaced by the invasion and of their abandoned properties was the leading issue in the discussions, along with the future of the 30,000 Turkish troops still stationed there.
"The Greek side insists they must all be pulled out, while the Turkish side says some must remain," says Reuters.
Will Cyprus ever be unified?
"Relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have warmed" in recent years, says Foreign Affairs, but hopes of reunification may have been "misplaced".
The rise of nationalist politics in Turkey, as well as tensions with the EU over Syria and the refugee crisis, mean neither Ankara not Athens is especially disposed to compromise.
-
Marisa Silver’s 6 favorite books that capture a lifetimeFeature The author recommends works by John Williams, Ian McEwan, and more
-
Book reviews: ‘We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution’ and ‘Will There Ever Be Another You’Feature The many attempts to amend the U.S. Constitution and Patricia Lockwood’s struggle with long Covid
-
Philadelphia’s Calder GardensFeature A permanent new museum
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
