The Cypriot Issue in the Current European Geopolitical Order: Towards a Final Resolution?

The island of Cyprus was divided more than 40 years ago, in 1964, and until now a UN peace-keeping force, the UNFICYP, has been present on the territory to facilitate contacts between both communities, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. All the attempts of negotiations during these 40 years have failed, but the newly elected Greek Cypriot President Christofias has reopened a peace dialogue with the Turkish leader Talat, a first step towards reunification. The solution of the Cypriot issue is strictly tied to Turkey’s accession to European Union and it will continue to be an obstacle until its resolution that could actually be reached within 2008. In this way, Turkey will increase its role in the region, creating a new asset in the balance of power of the Central Asian-Mediterranean region.