Third-Party Interventions in Cyprus-Turkey Conflict
A third party can engage in a variety of efforts to restore peace in Cyprus. The conflict between Turkey and Cyprus has run for decades. Some of the issues for dispute have been that Turkey has recently sent an exploration ship in the northern part of Cyprus to scout for oil and natural gas. Further, Turkey recognizes the northern part of Cyprus as part of the Turkish region with an elected leader with Turkish roots, known as the Turkish Cypriots. Recent reports indicate that Turkey has acquired military arsenal in readiness to engage in violence and war with Cyprus.
The context above highlights the nature of the conflict between Turkey and Cyprus. Cyprus is a smaller country with lesser economic and military power than Turkey. A third part ought to intervene to restore peace between the nations. One of the conventional approaches that a third party can employ is peace operations. The conflict between the two nations is historical, and Turkey is already armed and ready for violence. A third party, with massive military power, can help settle the conflict by strategically stationing the army in defense of Cyprus. The approach will help in preventing the potential of violence.
Additionally, the engagement by the third party through peace operations is aimed at enhancing dialogue and negotiations. It is not aimed at creating a potential conflict. A powerful state such as the United States can urge the two parties to dialogue through a peace operation. The political, military, and economic influence can help in resolving the conflict.
Further, third parties can engage in mediation and arbitration intervention strategies. The objective is to create a binding solution that fits the conflict in question. The first engagement is mediation. Mediation can take place at a neutral venue where the mediator is a neutral party. The consensus between the Turkish and the Cypriot governments is consensual in such contexts. The third-party may be an international body such as the department of the United Nations or the European Union.
Furthermore, the international community can enforce an arbitration process to the solution of the dispute. The resort to international arbitration can be adopted when the attempts to mediation have failed. An impartial arbiter such as the international court of justice, for instance, can arbitrate over the matter. The decision of arbitration, however, is final and strictly enforceable. It is only adopted when the parties cannot engage in a fruitful mediation.