Philenews

New Strategy for the Re-establishment of the Republic of Cyprus Based on a European Solution

Published February 16, 2026, 09:19
New Strategy for the Re-establishment of the Republic of Cyprus Based on a European Solution

Following the rejection of the Annan Plan by Greek Cypriots, the "Panhellenic Committee for a European Solution to Cyprus" was established, leading to the formation of a Scientific Committee tasked with developing a framework of principles for a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue, based on International and European Law. This framework was presented to the European Parliament in 2005, but was not utilized by the Papadopoulos government, which continued to support the Annan Plan despite its previous rejection by the people. The conference organized in 2026 by the Center for International Law and Diplomacy and the Law School of the University of Nicosia, focusing on the Cyprus issue and the role of the European Legal and Political Acquis, highlights the need for a new strategy to break away from the Anglo-Turkish bi-zonal solution. The discussion focuses on the need to return to the fundamental principles and values of the European Union and International Law. The article points out the absurd situation where the Turks, after initially proposing a bi-zonal solution, abandoned it later, now insisting on a two-state solution. The Greek Cypriot side, under President Christodoulides, continues to propose a return to Crans Montana and the resumption of negotiations based on the bi-zonal framework, despite the change in the position of the Turks. Finally, the article refers to previous opportunities that the Greek Cypriots had to change course, such as the declaration of the TRNC in 1983, but failed to seize them. The criticism focuses on the persistence of the bi-zonal solution, despite changes in conditions and the positions of the parties involved, and the need for a new, European approach to the Cyprus issue.