Cyprus problem - Island Talks

Figure It – Episode 6: Halloumi/Hellim and the Green Line Regulation (20/5/2021)

In this sixth episode of Figure It, Sapienta Economics Director Fiona Mullen discusses the famous squeaky cheese of Cyprus, known as hellim in Turkish and halloumi in Greek, with the former president of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and current MP with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Fikri Toros. In April of this year the European Commission “registered Χαλλούμι/Halloumi/Hellim as a protected designation of origin (PDO)”. This means that only hellim/halloumi produced in Cyprus “according to the product specification” may now use the registered name. We also discuss the obstacles put in the way of the Green Line regulation (European Council Regulation 866/2004) and how these longstanding issues prevent intra-island trade form reaching its full potential.

Nicosia Uncut – Episode 21: Special guest – Dr.Sertaç Sonan on their survey on political culture in northern Cyprus (6/4/2021)

Read more about the article Nicosia Uncut – Episode 21: Special guest – Dr.Sertaç Sonan on their survey on political culture in northern Cyprus (6/4/2021)

Today's episode is special as Nicosia Uncut produers Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykallı are hosting Dr. Sertaç Sonan, one of the academics behind a survey titled: “Politics and Society in North Cyprus” and published by Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The report focused on the differences and similarities between native Turkish Cypriots and Turkish immigrants who came to the island after 1974, on issues such as identity perception, attitudes towards religion, democratic values, relations with Turkey and the Cyprus problem. Particularly the findings on tendencies towards a federal solution, unitary state and annexation sparked a wide range of reactions in both…

Nicosia Uncut – Episode 20: EU Council conclusions, US-TR relations, carrots & sticks (27/3/2021)

Podcasting from both sides of the divide in Nicosia-Cyprus, Andromachi Sophocleous & Kemal Baykallı are producing the popular politics podcast - Nicosia Uncut. In this episode, they discuss the conclusions of the latest EU Council meeting and provide a background in the global and regional politics. While the new US Administration is trying to restore the American foreign policy around containing Russia, Turkish-American relations are likely to face various tests including the one in the East Med. Europeans are still lacking a coherent and unified foreign policy, a gap that might be filled by post-Trump USA. Cyprus, however, is still a chip in the bigger game. As the date for the informal 5+1 summit on Cyprus is fast approaching, Nicosia Uncut producers discuss various scenarios for the meeting that will take place between 27-29 April in Geneva.

Nicosia Uncut – Episode 19: Internationals lead the way in CYprob amidst protests in domestic politics (11/3/2021)

In this slightly extended and longer version of Nicosia Uncut, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykallı explain how the internationals are now in the driving seat of the Cyprus solution process. Strategic power games in the Eastern Mediterranean as well as corruption scandals, mass protests, mismanagement and decreasing legitimacy of administrations on both sides of the divide are unfolding in parallel with the attempts to put the Cyprus solution process back on its track with the upcoming 5+1 conference that will take place in Geneva between 27-29 April 2021.

Buffering – Episode 10: This is it. We solved it. (12/2/2021)

Buffering hosts are coming up with some creative ideas on how to solve the Cyprus problem. One idea has something to do with the famous Buffer Zone of Cyprus - no wonder the podcast is called "buffering" Buffering podcast is brought to you by Yiorgos Kakouris and Esra Aygın, two Cypriot journalists who live and work in Brussels and Lisbon respectively.

Nicosia Uncut – Episode 18: Could constructive ambiguity save or ruin the day? (9/2/2021)

Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykallı discuss Cyprus problem ahead of the informal 5+1 conference: expected strategy, basic assumptions, diplomatic leaks, involvement of the internationals, and how corruption is affecting the course of the peace process in Cyprus. Before 2004, the Cyprus solution process was mainly driven by the international community. Following the rejection of the Annan Plan, so-called "Cypriot-led process" was the name the game. Failure in Crans Montana effectively ended this period. Now, the international community and non-Cypriot actors are once more the main actors in the solution process. In order to converge positions, "constructive ambiguity" is employed…

Buffering – Episode 9: Trump when it’s no longer in fashion (4/2/2021)

Cypriot journalists Yiorgos Kakouris and Esra Aygın are bringing you dispatches from the alternate Cypriot universe. Trumpization of Cypriot politicians and public figures, Freudian comparison of temples' sizes, attack on journalists and media, arbitrary destruction of historical Nicosia house, never-ending Cyprus talks, and good old corruption in the island of Aphrodite.

Nicosia Uncut – Episode 17: Fed up with the CYprob yet? (12/1/2021)

The first episode of 2021. Andromachi Sophocleous & Kemal Baykallı talk about their favorite topic: The Cyprus problem!.What is the UN's strategy to revitalize the solution process? What should we expect from the informal 5+1 conference which is expected to take place soon? How should we read the latest Cyprus report of the UN Secretary General to the UN Security Council? Which are the elephants in the room? Will Turkey's new foreign policy attempts work? Latest statements from Greek Cypriot politicians, party feuds in the Turkish Cypriot politics. All in this episode of Nicosia Uncut.

Buffering – Episode 8: Dream Team vs Golden Team (21/12/2020)

Was it really the worst year ever? Is there room for some optimism in the Cyprus problem? Whose cabinet is better? Which one is your favorite team? Dream team vs golden team. Cypriot journalists, Yiorgos Kakouris and Esra Aygin, reporting from Brussels and Lisbon respectively, are bringing you dispatches from the alternate Cypriot universe. And each episode is getting better than the previous one. By the way, do not forget to cover your f***ing nose - there is Covid for f*** sake!