Delineating the Territorial Boundaries of Proposed Federated States according to the New System in Cyprus and the Possible Matching Methods

Authors : Ebru Gür, Soyalp Tamçelik

Pages : 17-40

View : 50 | Download : 69

Publication Date : 2024-06-14

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This paper addresses the issue of territorial boundaries of federated states according to the new system to be introduced in Cyprus. The paper mainly seeks to examine possible ways that parties in negotiation may pursue to delineate their respective territories of sovereignty and administrative boundaries. In fact territorial boundaries of each federated state in the new system to be brought by Turkish and Greek communities in the island will be determined by quantitative rather than qualitative values. Further, these are mainly built upon two pillars. Firstly, proposals related to territorial arrangements have to ensure definite, sustained and fair solution. Secondly, the new constitution to be introduced must be based on the principle of an independent and non-aligned Federal State of Cyprus with two regions and two communities. Given this, the establishment of federal state on geographical basis in Cyprus can be realized only in two ways. One is the Turkish thesis that envisages the absolute protection of the bi-zonal nature of the state where there are homogenous communities in each zone and where administrative boundaries are set accordingly. The Greek thesis, on the other hand, envisages a unitary arrangement where heterogenous community dynamics are to be in play. The study accordingly consists of two main parts. The first part deals with the administrative or territorial boundaries of the new state of Cyprus together with associated concepts. The second and the last part evaluates the attitudes of the Turkish and Greek sides with respect to territorial arrangements.
Keywords : Kıbrıs, Sınır, Toprak, Egemenlik, Gali Planı