4th December- Live discussions - What is BBF?

The concept of a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) in Cyprus has been at the core of negotiations for decades, aimed at resolving the long-standing division of the island between the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north. Here’s how it is envisioned to work:

1. Federal Structure

The BBF would establish a single federal state with two constituent states:
• Greek Cypriot Constituent State: Governing the southern part of Cyprus.
• Turkish Cypriot Constituent State: Governing the northern part of Cyprus.

These constituent states would have substantial autonomy in domestic matters such as education, healthcare, and local governance.

2. Shared Federal Government

A central federal government would handle island-wide issues such as:
• Foreign policy.
• Defense and security.
• Federal budget and economy.

The federal government would represent Cyprus as a single entity internationally.

3. Power-Sharing

Key features include:
• Rotating Presidency: The leadership of the federal government would rotate between Greek and Turkish Cypriots to ensure equality.
• Bicameral Legislature: A federal parliament with two chambers:
• Senate: Equal representation for Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
• House of Representatives: Proportional representation based on population size.

This structure aims to balance the political power between the two communities, despite the larger population of Greek Cypriots.

4. Property and Territory

A BBF would involve territorial adjustments to address the 1974 division:
• Some territory currently under Turkish Cypriot control would be returned to Greek Cypriot administration.
• A mechanism would address property claims from people displaced during the conflict, possibly through restitution, compensation, or exchange.

5. Security and Guarantees

One of the most contentious issues is the role of security and external guarantees. Proposals have included:
• Phased withdrawal of Turkish troops.
• A possible international or UN peacekeeping force.
• Replacement of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee (involving Greece, Turkey, and the UK) with a new security arrangement acceptable to both sides.

6. Legal Framework

The BBF would require constitutional arrangements ensuring that:
• Both communities are politically equal.
• Neither can dominate the other.
• Disputes between the federal and constituent states would be resolved through a constitutional court.

7. Reunification Objectives

The BBF aims to:
• Reunify Cyprus as a bi-ethnic, bi-zonal federation.
• Protect the cultural, political, and economic rights of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
• End the physical and political division of the island while allowing both communities to coexist under a common framework.

Challenges to Implementation

While the BBF framework offers a balanced solution, several obstacles remain:
• Disagreement on Power-Sharing: The specifics of political equality and the rotating presidency are contentious.
• Security Concerns: Greek Cypriots generally seek the removal of Turkish troops, while Turkish Cypriots fear being left vulnerable.
• Public Opinion: Both communities must approve any agreement in separate referenda, and past attempts (e.g., the 2004 Annan Plan) have failed due to lack of consensus.
• External Influences: Greece, Turkey, and other international actors have significant stakes in the outcome.

The success of a BBF in uniting Cyprus depends on mutual trust, compromises on contentious issues, and support from the international community.

Видео 4th December- Live discussions - What is BBF? канала Solving the Cyprus Issue