Bilun Gunes
A significant step towards enhancing transparency and fostering bi-communal cooperation in Cyprus was marked by the launch of the TransparenCY project on March 4. The initiative, funded by the European Union as part of the PLACE in Cyprus Programme, is spearheaded by the Global Policies Centre (GLOPOL) in collaboration with Oxygono (Oxygen for Democracy).
The project aims to create a future where transparency is not merely an aspiration but a tangible reality for all Cypriots. A workshop, held on April 4, 2025, at the Home for Cooperation in Nicosia, convened representatives from political parties, rights-based organisations, and academia to assess the current state of transparency on both sides of the island.
The workshop is seen as a vital step in bridging the divide between the two communities in Cyprus. Throughout the day, participants explored transparency from two key perspectives: the negotiation processes that have shaped recent political history and the decision-making processes that influence everyday lives.
In his opening address, Hüseyin Silman, President of GLOPOL, underscored the necessity of transparency in effective governance. “The TransparenCY project is designed to address transparency issues by promoting dialogue across communities, sharing best practices, and advocating for greater openness in policymaking throughout Cyprus,” Silman stated, acknowledging the persistent challenges in ensuring that legislative processes are open, participatory, and accountable.
The opening session featured prominent speakers, including Nicolas Kyriakides, Vice-President of Oxygono, and Florin Mihai Stoleru, Program Manager from the European Commission.
Kyriakides emphasised the essential role of transparency in democracy, asserting, “It is not merely a technical necessity; it is the lifeblood of democracy.” He reflected on the historical reliance on closed-door negotiations that have led to public disengagement from decision-making and highlighted the urgent need for reforms that empower citizen participation.
Stoleru echoed Kyriakides’s observations, stressing the importance of involving civil society in both decision-making and reconciliation efforts. He acknowledged the recent legislative changes aimed at increasing transparency and participation within municipal governance, while also recognising the significant barriers that still exist.
The first panel of the workshop provided critical insights into transparency in negotiation processes, featuring contributions from two former negotiators: Andreas Mavroyiannis and Erhan Erçin.
“To enable these sorts of negotiation processes to be more democratic, the most crucial thing is political willingness and political determination. If the political will of leaders is present, processes can become more democratic,” said Erçin.
Mavroyiannis added, “We need clarity. It’s not just about the process but the legitimacy of what happens at the negotiating table. The leaders need to live up to their promises, and civil society must be vigilant and hold leaders accountable.”
The second session shifted focus to transparency in everyday decision-making, with contributions from Secretary General of Volt Party Hulusi Kilim, Oxygono’s Executive Director George Isaia, and Academician Prof. Dr. Sertaç Sonan, enriching discussions about the role of transparency in daily governance.
The discussions highlighted the need for accurate and accessible information to empower citizens, fostering a healthy public sphere. The UN’s role as a negotiation facilitator was stressed, alongside the necessity of media literacy and innovative funding for quality journalism to combat misinformation.
A presentation on corruption perceptions in North Cyprus by Dr. Sertaç Sonan revealed significant issues, with perceptions worsening over time. Business executives view corruption as a common and serious problem that hinders business activities. The research indicated a decline in corruption perception since 2017, raising concerns about the normalization of corruption and the effectiveness of the rule of law.
Voice Cyprus News 2025
