Experts discuss possible resolution of Cyprus conflict

Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Derviş Eroğlu have recently signed a document, saying that the status quo in bilateral relations is unacceptable. The two parts of the island are now trying to find a possible way to reunite as a federative state.

Cypriot political analyst Sophocles Sophocli told Vestnik Kavkaza that the process of improving bilateral ties has started long ago. The signing of the joint statement was a culmination of this process, he says.

The parties are seeking a single state, which would be based on the principle of equal rights of the two parts of the island, the expert says.

Another expert, Fatma Elmaz, believes that the resumption of the talks is a very positive move. The conflict itself has a very negative impact on both the Greek and the Turkish communities of Cyprus, she says.

The issue is very important for Turkey as well, the expert stresses. It's well-known that the Cyrpiot conflict is one of the reasons why the European Union is hesitant about the country's membership of the body.