The program is funded by the European Commission under the program Instrument for Stability Crisis Preparedness Component, Annual Action Programmes 2007-2008, Peace-Building Partnership Support

Description of the program

The overall objective and purpose of the Action is, in broad terms, two-fold: On one hand it aims to increase the chances for successful peace-building and reconciliation and on the other, to help the international community and all involved actors become more efficient in primarily preventing potential crises, but also in their efforts for reconciliation. The project, through the creation of a series of roundtables aims to create firstly a bi-communal network and secondly (and subsequently) an early warning mechanism, which will help achieve the aforementioned objectives.

The current environment in Cyprus ‘indicates’ that there is a need for such an Action. More specifically, the existence of non-violence in Cyprus should not be equated with a state of complete peace or even reconciliation. Quite the contrary; non-violence may be decreasing the urgency for a complete resolution of the Cyprus problem. Why there has been no resolution so far is an issue of contention amongst the political elite, academics, organizations and the media. One area where there seems to be an agreement is that there exists an incompatibility of subject positions (hence a conflict, albeit not violent), lack of understanding of the ‘other’ as well as a significant level of societal and political mistrust. Consequently, the efforts for peace-building and reconciliation face significant obstacles as the aforementioned issues are hindering the international community’s efforts. There is, therefore, an evident need for actions that will (a) lead to better understanding of the ‘other’, (b) increase the trust level and (c) found common grounds for cooperation, decreasing at the same time the number and depth of incompatibility of positions. In addition, so far the current bi-communal organizations do not seem to have a significant impact in policy making formulation or in the prevention of crises and/or misunderstandings. This raises an additional need for a more influential network which will involve more actively, not only Greek and Turkish Cypriots, but also other third actors such as the, UN, the EU and other 3^rd states such as the UK and the US. It is with these needs in mind that the current proposal was submitted, as the series of roundtables aim to achieve those set objectives.

Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs

The Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs (formerly the Research Center – Intercollege) has established itself as a pioneering and innovative think-tank and research institution through the quality of its work and its contribution to society and public debate in Cyprus and beyond. The Research Center – Intercollege was founded in March 1993 as an independent, non-profit making institution and was renamed Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs (CCEIA) in September 2007 (following the universitization of Intercollege and its renaming as University of Nicosia).  The Center seeks to advance academic and policy-oriented research and to contribute to the study and analysis of important economic, political and social issues revolving around Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader region, the EU and the international environment. Particular emphasis has been placed on Cyprus-related issues, Greco-Turkish relations, security and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle East, ethnic conflict, socio-economic issues and challenges, issues of governance, political economy and European integration.  Since its creation the Center has given particular attention to the Cyprus problem and its different dimensions.  The Center has undertaken research and also organized symposia, conferences, roundtable discussions and seminars revolving around these issues.