Greece Divided Cyprus: Nicosia rules out two-state solution

50 years after the division of Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots in the south of the Mediterranean island are resisting Turkish demands for a two-state solution.

"We will not discuss a two-state solution under any circumstances," Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis told the German Press Agency shortly before the anniversary of the division, which will be celebrated this Saturday (July 20).

Despite many attempts at mediation, reunification is not in sight. Most recently, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot ethnic group in the north of the island, Ersin Tatar, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have repeatedly insisted on two sovereign states.

A two-state solution is not only rejected by Nicosia - the EU and the United Nations are also against it. The UN's goal has always been a kind of federation with a central government.

Christodoulidis is also counting on Berlin in the struggle for political progress: "I am grateful for Germany's contribution," he says, referring to a visit by Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier in February. The experience of a reunified Germany is valuable for Cyprus, and Berlin's contribution to creating a positive Euro-Turkish agenda is extremely important for progress towards reunification.

In 1974, nationalist Greek Cypriots and the then ruling dictatorship in Athens wanted to unite Cyprus with Greece, leading to a military coup on the island. Turkey intervened militarily to prevent unification with Greece. The island has been divided ever since.

In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) was proclaimed in the northern part of the island, which to this day is only recognized worldwide by Turkey. In 2004, the entire island was accepted by the EU as a state. Since then, the entire island has been a de jure member of the EU, but EU law is only applied in the southern part. The island is therefore de facto divided.