Ambassador Sotos C. Zackheos, the Cypriot representative to the United Nations, spoke yesterday to students in Minor Hall on the role of Cyprus in the United Nations and the European Union.
Zackheos, who represents the Greek Cypriot government of the Republic of Cyprus, addressed a crowd of about 60 students.
"Cyprus is situated in a very sensitive position in the world," Zackheos said.
He gave a brief overview of the history of the island, which is located about 50 miles off the coast of Turkey and 500 miles from Greece in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus has long been the object of conflict between rival powers.
A former British colony, Cyprus gained independence in 1960. In 1963, fighting erupted between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots of the island. Greek intervention in the conflict and then a Turkish invasion led to the partitioning of the island in 1974.
Today, Greek Cypriots, who make up about 80 percent of the population, inhabit the southern portion of the island, which is governed by the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus. In the north, the island is occupied by the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," recognized only by Turkey.
Zackheos discussed recent U.N. efforts to resolve the Cyprus conflict. Four main points of contention are territory, security, the type of federation to be established and compensation for the property of Greek Cypriot refugees, he said.
"The process was going well" but after the fifth round of negotiations, representatives of the Turkish Cypriots decided to discontinue talks, he added.
"Turkish Cypriots want a weak central government and a strong confederation" as opposed to a federation, said Oguz Dirioz, a third-year College student who is Turkish.
The ambassador made it clear that "the coexistence of the two communities on the troubled island of Cyprus is indeed possible," said Doxa Economidou, a fourth-year College student and member of the Hellenic Society, which organized the speaking event.
Zackheos also discussed the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to join the European Union. "As Cypriots, we see our future in Europe," he said.
Cyprus applied to become a member of the union in 1990, and in 1998, it began the accession process.
"As the world is moving toward regional alliances, small Cyprus [cannot] survive alone," Zackheos said, explaining why the nation seeks membership. He also said membership in the union would provide security.
After his speech, Zackheos fielded questions from the audience.
"He was the typical politican - really optimistic," said Sadik Ulker, a graduate Engineering student who is a Turkish Cypriot. The speech "was in no way representative of Turkish Cypriots, but I was not expecting anything different."
In response to one audience question, Zackheos said, "We have reached a stage at which we should focus on the future and not always discuss what one side did to the other."
"There have been mistakes in the past by both sides. [Now we need to] try to understand why they happened ... and try to avoid them in the future," he said.
"The Ambassador has a strong willingness to speak to the students of U.Va.," Economidou said.
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