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Begin New Search Political Geography Cyprus Author Mensur Akgün

1. Turkish Cypriots Want a Secure Future

Author:
Mensur Akgün, Sylvia Tiryaki, and Muhammed Ammash
Publication Date:
07-2016
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Global Political Trends Center (GPoT)
Abstract:
Presidents Nikos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci paved the way to rekindle the resolution process which had gone amiss on the Island over the years. Despite their inherent different political ideologies, both men were convinced of the potency of settlement; as such they worked in preparation of their societies towards the resolution. The public opinion polls conducted on the Island captures an important detail; thus, a considerable majority of the Turkish Cypriot society is unready for the eventual settlement of the Cyprus question irrespective of their leaders’ goodwill. There are two main issues essential for a concrete future resolution plan-‘security and property’. Views on the protection of the bicommunality and other expectations are equally important alongside other issues that were mentioned by the Turkish Cypriots that we conducted interviews with. The concerns raised essentially focus on the security issue. The Turkish Cypriots’ desire to live in security both politically and economically post-unification.
Topic:
Economics, Politics, Territorial Disputes, and Dialogue
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, Cyprus, and Mediterranean

2. Managing Intractable Conflicts: Lessons from Moldova and Cyprus

Author:
Mensur Akgün
Publication Date:
04-2013
Content Type:
Book
Institution:
Global Political Trends Center (GPoT)
Abstract:
Some would argue that the once violent inter-communal conflict in Cyprus has transformed through the decades into a comfortable status quo that has enabled the main stakeholders, and everyone else directly or indirectly influenced by the problem, to take advantage of the situation on the ground, which has in turn developed a desire to intentionally protract the comfortable conflict. Yet others would claim that the number of failed attempts to agree on a comprehensive solution acceptable by all parties have diminished the quality of life on the island and have become a chronic headache not only for the locals, but also for the international community. Because of these reasons, one could rightfully ask why would the fruitless search for a resolution to the Cyprus conflict be chosen as an exemplar case study and source of inspiration for generating creative ideas aiming to help solve other disputes around the world, specifically the one regarding the territory of Moldova.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Islam, Bilateral Relations, Territorial Disputes, and Sectarian violence
Political Geography:
Moldova and Cyprus

3. Possible Scenarios in Cyprus: Assuming There is No Solution

Author:
Mensur Akgün
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
Halted after the Greek Cypriot rejection of the Annan Plan (by 75.83%) at a referendum held on 24th April 2004, inter-communal negotiations restarted on a technical level on 18th April 2008 and on a political level on 25th July 2008. Since then, hundreds of negotiations have been held at different levels between the parties. Although the negotiations still continue – as of February 2012 it is said that a conference is to be held with the participation of the guarantor states – at the time this article was written, a bi-zonal and bi-communal solution seems farther away than ever before. The parties, especially the Greek Cypriots, continue with the negotiations just to avoid being seen as the one who left the table. n this article, Mensur Akgun analyses the position of Turkish government to possible scenario with outcome of no solution deriving from Turkey’s emphasis on to freeze relations with the EU as of 1st July 2012, when the Republic of Cyprus, which is represented only by the Greek Cypriots, will assume the EU Presidency.
Topic:
International Relations, Territorial Disputes, European Union, and Negotiation
Political Geography:
Europe, Turkey, Middle East, Cyprus, and Mediterranean

4. Foreign Policy Perceptions in Turkey

Author:
Aybars Görgülü, Enis Erdem Aydın, Mensur Akgün, and Sabiha Senyücel Gündoğar
Publication Date:
06-2011
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
This report contains the results of a survey conducted on 6-14th December 2010 by KA Research that has been evaluated by TESEV Foreign Policy Programme. Based on a sample size of 1,000, the survey aims to understand the perception of foreign policy in Turkey. A first of its kind for TESEV, the survey includes striking findings that may be of interest to decision-makers in Turkey and those following Turkey around the world. This report finds many results for the opinion on the foreign policy vision of Turkey concerning the Turkish government, the US government, the EU and the Middle East.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, and Geopolitics
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, Cyprus, United States of America, and European Union

5. Promise to Keep: Time to end the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots

Author:
Marsel Brus, Mensur Akgün, Steven Blockmans, Sylvia Tiryaki, Theo Van Den Hoogen, and Wybe Douma
Publication Date:
06-2008
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
The objective of writing this report has been twofold, namely, to assess the legal validity of the continuing international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community, and to demonstrate that lifting the isolation currently imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will not necessarily amount to – or require – its recognition as a nation-state. This report asserts that the isolationist policies directed towards the Turkish Cypriots living in the Northern part of the island do not have any legal basis and therefore should be revoked immediately. The point of departure for the study is to call on the fact that the EU membership of the RoC created a unique status for the Turkish Cypriot community, under both international and EU law.
Topic:
European Union, International Community, Nation-State, and Isolationism
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, Cyprus, and Mediterranean

6. Quo vadis Cyprus?

Author:
Ayla Gürel Moran, Mensur Akgün, Mete Hatay, and Sylvia Tiryaki
Publication Date:
04-2005
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
Cyprus is one of the key issues in Turkish Foreign Policy today, probably even more so than it has ever been. A peaceful settlement that optimizes the needs and minimizes the concerns of both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides is of utmost significance and urgency. A settlement is needed not only to enable Turkey to continue its path towards European accession, but also in order to establish and perpetuate a peaceful coexistence between the two communities on the island. The suspension of efforts to solve the Cyprus issue after the referendum on April 24, 2004, could pave the way for unwelcome developments in Turkey, the EU and in the region as a whole. Therefore TESEV see it as their mission to alert policy makers, opinion leaders and diplomats of the urgency of the issue. As has been stated previously on different occasions, TESEV has three major areas of activity: Democratization, Good Governance and Foreign Policy. There has been a dynamic wave of political, economic, judicial and legal reforms in Turkey vis-à-vis her prospective membership of the European Union. Internal dynamics for democratization, local governance, fiscal policies, transparency and judicial reform and new perspectives in foreign policy have been subjects of concern in this process. These subjects are also the determinants of TESEV’s major program axes. The Foreign Policy Program, one of TESEV’s three main program areas, has been dealing with the Cyprus issue at both governmental and non-governmental levels, with specific reference to the Annan Plan. We support the Annan Plan as the basis for a viable solution. This monograph provides a historical account of the problem and settlement efforts, elaborates the Annan Plan and provides some suggestions for the way forward.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Government, Territorial Disputes, and Referendum
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, Cyprus, and Mediterranean