Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 21 January 2016: Greek and Turkish leaders of divided Cyprus make commitment to unify Cyprus in 2016

Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci made an unprecendented and symbolic joint appearance during the World Economic Forum in Davos on 21 January 2016. They said they believed in a solution to unify the island in 2016. The island has been divided since 1974, during which the Turkish army invaded the Turkish part, following a coup d'etat by the Greek military junta. Earlier efforts have been made to unify the island, such as in 2004 with the Annan Peace Plan, that was voted down in a referendum by the Greeks. The atmosphere seems more favourable now for a deal due to the relatively recently discovered gas reserves next to Cyprus and the earlier economic troubles Cyprus has faced as unifcation could lead to potential economic benefits for both sides of the island.