www.talkcyprus.org

[Dhavlos]

OK, after talking to a few people on the forum, i think we have a new air of what a solution in cyprus could be, and what could be acceptable to both sides.

4 options to choose from :

1. Unitary State - a unitary state, much like 1960...or just simple majorityvote

2. Partition - two states , one in the north, one in the south

3. Cantonal/multizonal - lots of smaller cantons, largely autonomous, with an (extremely) weak central government...

4. BBF

Before voting, think, what is most likely to work, in the long run...and what is REALISTICALLY going to be acceptable to both sides.

[Bullika]

whats the difference between BBF and Cantonal?
excuse my ignorance

[Dhavlos]

BBF would just be two zones/cantons...cantonal would have mutliple zones/cantons

[Bullika]

Dhavlos wrote: BBF would just be two zones/cantons...cantonal would have mutliple zones/cantons

So would three cantons, Nicosia area, North and South be considered as cantonal?

[Dhavlos]

erm maybe, but i was thinking something along the lines moose had envisioned, whether that meant more cantons/states, or whatever...

Basically, it would mean that there would not be a simple 'north and south divide'.

ALso, the cantonal version could include extreme decentralisation

[Bananiot]

Basically it could be BBF with one Greek canton in the north and one Turkish canton in the south. Or even two of each.

[Bullika]

Bananiot wrote: Basically it could be BBF with one Greek canton in the north and one Turkish canton in the south. Or even two of each.

The only issue I have with this is that both sides are currently ethnically homogenous areas, i.e. the south is mostly greek and the north mostly turkish cypriot, i m not convinced most greek or turkish cypriots would return to the north or south, besides mass population movement is never a good idea and brings all kinds of problems. we may need to recognize that the north is populated mostly by turkish cypriots and the south by greeks in the end.

[Dhavlos]

but will it be that way in 10 or 20 years time?!

a solution needs to try and work in the future, or we are going to see another constituional crisis...

there is no point ahveing two homogenous areas if in twenty years time they are not homogenous!

[Bananiot]

Do not underestimate the EU factor. We seem to be haunted by past ghosts. Its very easy to say that the best solution will not work if there is no good will. But, in 1960 there was no EU and multicultural societies simply did not exist.

[Bullika]

No I agree with you that a solution is necessary, but I believe the transition should be as smooth as possible. Moving people around, sending settlers home and everyone arguing over land in the intial stages of this reunification will dampen our spirits and undermine the colective effort to make this work this time. Therefore I believe the current boundaries should not change too much. a little yes, but not too much.

We could make use of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus state apparatus and Republic of Cyprus state toi begin with, rather than dismantle them completely.

[Dhavlos]

yes that is possible. Gradual change i tink would work better than radical change imo.

Personally, i think that a solutiion needs to begin with education. I would like to see a common curriculum for the whole of cyprus...that way, the children have an equal footing in life, and would be able to go to any school in cyprus, be it north or south, and that includes the teaching of turkish an greek in lessons!!!

Then the property solution needs solving, taking a decade or so, as well asfreedom ofresidence/movement then we can finally agree the political outcome.

so three stages:
1.education
2.property/movement
3.constitution

[brother]

I think BBF is the way forward with any kind of chance of working but WHATEVER we create this unity in be SURE that in 50 years time no one will really understand why it took so long and what the fuss was about. :wink:

[Bullika]

I think bizonal but I could live with cantonal.

[andytandreou]

I voted for complete partition. Something like North Korea and South Korea are today but instead have two democratized countries which will BOTH BE PART OF EUROPE!

We will have:
Free movement of people
Buying and selling of property freely
Jobs open to all

Basically, Turkish Cypriots will enjoy all privileges that are provided to any EU citizen in the South and vise-versa. EU citizens enjoy a status in Cyprus much the same as any Greek Cypriot does.

Reunification is never going to happen.

In order to overcome the side affects of the partition, the two countries could unite certain low level services like the CyprusTourismOrganization (CTO) with the equivalent one in the North. This "common" organization could promote Cyprus worldwide (which it does) as a single "united" destination called "Cyprus".

It's pointless talking about the unification of services like telephone, mobile and water etc because this is allowed and encouraged by the EU. So after partition (ironically) is when most services and utilities will be interconnected. Cross-border competition will flourish in all services without restrictions as per EU regulations. The joining of the Water company (for example) with the one in the North is pointless and anti-competitive.

I can also envisage the joining of many other services like charities, marathons, sports events, sports & football organizations, Olympic teams, forestry department, waste management, water management, desalination efforts.

The benefits of the partition would be that both countries pick and choose the areas they want to cooperate in. They can choose to have only common policies and strategic plans or even common road networks and airports. Anything goes...

EU regulations will allow all Cypriots the same benefits throughout the island. If Cyprus is partitioned into two countries under the EU umbrella most of our problems will be solved. The BBF solution is trying to establish a "mini-United States of Cyprus" inside Cyprus, which is stupid and wrong!

Partition is in my opinion the most livable solution and the least disruptive one.

[depurple]

A couple of problems BOYS: The properties will take a few years 10 to solve: Forget that one there will be no solution IF the main problem is not addressed FIRST:
2ND the best options is 2 states with a central equal government in Nicosia BUT freedom of movement for all: If you want to live under the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus so be it: I would: If you want to live under the Republic of Cyprus go for it:
Remember everyone will be governed by the EU Nth and Sth: cheers
So there is none of the above to vote for: