CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION IN THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS: FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS

Abstract

This study examines cross-border cooperation (CBC) in the Island of Cyprus, which is marked by a protracted geopolitical dispute. It analyses the facilitators and barriers to CBC between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities and their respective States within a qualitative research framework, utilising primary and secondary sources to provide a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between historical legacies, political dynamics, and societal interactions. Facilitators such as technical committees and third-party initiatives underscore the potential for constructive engagement. At the same time, persistent barriers like mutual distrust and Greek Cypriots’ concerns over the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) reveal the underlying challenges. The findings highlight the significance of grassroots cooperation and international support in overcoming border-related obstacles, offering insights into how CBC can contribute to good neighbourly relations between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. However, the findings also underscore that while CBC holds promise as a mechanism for fostering mutual understanding and reconciliation in the island of Cyprus, the barriers often overshadow the facilitators.