An economic-oriented solution to the Cyprus problem and the hidden risks

Crisis, crisis, crisis, crisis. This is all we can here, not to mention the disturbing images of cash being showed in every report concerning the economic crisis. How the crisis is portrayed in the media, though, despite being an interesting subject, is not what I will set out to talk about. Within this chaos,  this unnavigable sea of information and developments with regards to the economic crisis our country is facing, no one is mentioning the Cyprus problem. That is, none of the Greek-Cypriots. Some commentators in the Turkish-Cypriot community, though, have seen this crisis as the opportunity for a solution in the problem.

So how can this economic crisis be used, or even exploited, in terms of finding a solution to our problem? As the Greek-Cypriot community faces tremendous  economic problems, some say that it would be beneficial for them (us) to seek a solution and gain from unifying the two economies. Others press the matter of the natural gas and believe that the Greek-Cypriot community will try and solve the problem to benefit from the extraction and distribution of gas. Since Turkey is not ready to simply accept an extraction without it being a stakeholder, a solution to the problem can provide a solution to the energy problem that has arisen (In fact, this is what the former Minister of Commerce Mrs. Praksoula Antoniadou suggested in her book “ The Day After: Commercial Opportunities Following a Solution to the Cyprus Problem”).

It is at this point where I take a step back and ask: Is this an economic problem? Definitely not. So why do we even consider an economic solution to a non-economic problem? It would be foolish to completely disregard energy matters and wider economic issues that will arise during negotiations towards a solution, this is not what I am suggesting. Approaching, though, the solution in crude economic terms will disregard other, deeper and more important issues such as the deep-seeded social division between the two communities. Forwarding an economic-orientated solution to the problem, instead of approaching the political and social issues of the division, hides many risks that may develop in serious problems in the after-math of this solution. A socio-political issue should not be solved in this way, albeit its attractiveness due to the difficulties faced by either of the communities.

Finding a solution is the first step. It can even be said to be the easiest step. Maintaining the solution and maintaining peace is the next step. Disregarding, or not considering other parameters, but economic ones, during the negotiations and the drafting of the solution may lead to other problems which put in jeopardy not only the solution but the future of our island.