The Complexity of the Cyprus Challenge: The need for harmonization between track 1 peacemaking and peacekeeping, and Multi-Track Peacebuilding

This dissertation addresses the complexity of the Cyprus challenge and the missing peacebuilding function in the attempts to resolve the Cyprus conflict.

After a brief historical account, attention is given to such concepts as enosis and taksim, or union with Greece and partition, respectively; the intrastate and interstate components of the conflict in Cyprus; and a number of crucial definitions including peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. A careful look is then taken at the main parties to the conflict – the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, and Turkey; other interested or concerned actors - such as the UK, the US, Greece and the Russian Federation; and other third parties at the global and regional levels that have tried – or not tried – to make a difference to resolve the Cyprus challenge. Some of the issues involved, and the two main theories that apply to the challenge in Cyprus, namely the structural change model and basic human needs theory, are then given due attention. The views of active and retired diplomats. Members of the European Parliament, and scholars and members of non-governmental organizations are then discussed with reference to the need for harmonization between Track I peacemaking and peacekeeping and multi-track peacebuilding. The thrust of this discussion is based on the belief that the OSCE could give a valuable contribution to peacebuilding in Cyprus, if the OSCE Participating States have the political will to do so, while the UN continues with its efforts in peacemaking and peacekeeping. Conclusions are then drawn with particular reference to a possible national peacebuilding strategy for Cyprus, supported by the government of the Republic of Cyprus, and the OSCE, the EU and the UN.