Columbia International Affairs Online: Books

CIAO DATE: 09/2013

Managing Intractable Conflicts: Lessons from Moldova and Cyprus

Mensur Akgün (Ed.)

April 2013

Global Political Trends Center

Abstract

While the Cyprus and Transnistrian problems are just two of the numerous ongoing conflicts around the world, we believe that a comparative study of these two cases can provide useful information for actors involved in conflict resolution. The Global Political Trends Center (GPoT Center) of Istanbul Kültür University has been involved with almost all dimensions of the Cyprus conflict since the Center’s formation. During the past couple of years GPoT Center has organized several rounds of talks between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots entitled the Heybeliada Talks. The meetings have been conducted following the strict Chatham House rules in a retreat on Heybeliada Island close to Istanbul, and have become a symbol of GPoT Center’s second track activities on Cyprus. In addition, GPoT Center has focused on several different dimensions of the Cyprus problem through its various publications. We have come to understand that a comparative perspective is needed in order to better comprehend the psychology of the conflicting parties and formulate innovative solution oriented approaches. GPoT Center is proud to share this study that compares the Cyprus issue with the Transnistrian case, deriving lessons from both. We would like to present this book to those who are concerned not only with the two case studies but all those who are aware of the potential negative regional and international consequences of leaving these conflicts unresolved.