“THE CYPRIOT PROBLEM”

Following the Turkish invasion of 1974, several attempts have been to resolve the Cypriot Problem. Traditionally, from a Greek Cypriot perspective, every new solution proposed was worse than the previous one, the problem was deteriorating and perpetuating.

The ABC Plan (1978)

The first post-war attempt to solve the Cypriot problem came in 1978, before the “TRNC” was declared¹Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 . Known as the “ABC Plan”, as it was drafted by the USA, the UK and Canada, it called for the creation of a federal state within which each community would administer their respective territories and have a central government on external affairs, defense, currency, telecommunications, and immigration²Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 . While both sides rejected this plan, much of it was retained in future proposals³Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 .

Perez de Cuellar Plan (1986)

UNSG Perez de Cuellar in 1986 presented his solution to the Cypriot Problem which was similar to the ABC Plan and included veto powers for both President and Vice-President⁴Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 . The G/C government rejected this while the T/C accepted the agreement⁵Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 .

Perez de Cuellar’s Set of Ideas (1989)

In 1989, de Cuellar presented a second solution based on his 1986 plan, but the veto power would only be extended to issues of defense, security, foreign affairs, taxation, citizenship, and budgeting⁶Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 . This idea was accepted by the G/C as a basis for negotiations but rejected by the T/C⁷Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 .

Boutros-Boutros Ghali Plan (1992)

De Cuellar’s successor, Boutros-Boutros Ghali, presented his own plan to solve the Cypriot problem in 1992. Political equality was key and territorial adjustments proposed⁸Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 . The Plan proposed 28% of the territory remain under T/C control, compared to the 37% they possess right now⁹Φάνος Κωνσταντινίδης – Εφημερίδα η Σημερινή, “Τα σχέδια και οι συμφωνίες που απέτυχαν στην πολύχρονη ιστορία του κυπριακού”, 13 November 2002.. The G/C president, Giorgos Vasiliou would study the Plan, but the T/C side rejected it¹⁰Φάνος Κωνσταντινίδης – Εφημερίδα η Σημερινή, “Τα σχέδια και οι συμφωνίες που απέτυχαν στην πολύχρονη ιστορία του κυπριακού”, 13 November 2002..

The Annan Plan (2002-2004)

In 2002, UNSG Kofi Annan presented the Annan Plan, which featured a federation of two constituent parts with a rotating presidency¹¹Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 . Cypriots would share a single citizenship in this bi-zonal and bi-communal state¹²Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 . Guarantor states would continue to exist to guarantee the “independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus” while refraining from promoting union with either mother state¹³Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 . After negotiations ended in 2004, the plan was put to a vote in both parts of Cyprus. It was rejected by 76% of Greek Cypriots but accepted by 65% of Turkish Cypriots¹⁴Oliver Hegglin – Human Security Centre, “Analyzing the proposed solutions to the Cyprus Dispute”, 13 March 2021 .