Nicosia Uncut

Episodes

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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 29: Back to the 1960 constitutional order? Really? (2/9/2021) 31.08.2021 40m

  Anastasiades invited the Turkish Cypriots back to the 1960 constitutional order as a response to Tatar’s statements in a never-ending tit-for-tat blame game. This caught everybody by surprise, including his own cabinet members. In this episode of Nicosia Uncut, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykallı discuss the latest in Cyprus politics with a particular focus on […] The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 29: Back to the 1960 constitutional order? Really? (2/9/2021) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 5: Is Cyprus being sidelined? (31/7/2020) 31.07.2020 32m

  In this episode of Nicosia Uncut, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli discuss about bayram celebrations in old Cyprus, interesting developments in elections on both parts of the divide and get into the details regarding the latest attempts of de-escalation of crisis in Greco-Turkish relations. Is Cyprus being sidelined? The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 5: Is Cyprus being sidelined? (31/7/2020) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 25: Election special episode (1/6/2021) 31.05.2021 36m

  In this episode of Nicosia Uncut, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykallı analyse the outcome of Republic of Cyprus parliamentary election result. A total of 366,608 out of 557,836 registered voters or 65.72% have voted. The abstention amounted to 191,228 votes or 34.28%. The parties that entered 56 seated parliament are Democratic Rally (DISY) 27.77% - 17 seats; Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) 22.34% - 15 seats, Democratic Party (DIKO) 11.29% - 9 seats, National Popular Front (ELAM) 6.78% - 4 seats; Movement for Social Democracy (EDEK) 6.72% - 4 seats; Democratic Front (DIPA) 6.10% - 4 seats; and Cyprus Green Party 4.41% - 3 seats. The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 25: Election special episode (1/6/2021) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 20: EU Council conclusions, US-TR relations, carrots & sticks (27/3/2021) 26.03.2021 27m

  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. The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 20: EU Council conclusions, US-TR relations, carrots & sticks (27/3/2021) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 16: A sneak preview to 2021 through Cypriot lens (26/12/2020) 25.12.2020 34m

  In this last episode of 2020, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykallı discuss what 2021 is likely to bring under four themes: Cyprus problem, local politics, normalization (pandemic, crossings, economy) and regional&global international politics. Nicosia Uncut continue to provide an insight from an independent Cypriot perspective free from official narratives. 00:00 Introduction 02:17 Cyprus problem 06:55 Local Cyprus politics on both sides of the divide 17:35 Normalization (pandemic) 20:00 Normalization (crossings) 22:40 Normalization (economy) 25:10 Regional and global international politics The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 16: A sneak preview to 2021 through Cypriot lens (26/12/2020) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 22: Discussing CYprob, global politics with our special guest: Retired Ambassador Selim Kuneralp (23/4/2021) 22.04.2021 43m

  In this episode we have had a special guest. Retired Ambassador Selim Kuneralp served in the Turkish foreign ministry for more than 40 years at various high-level positions and in this episode he answered our questions regarding the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, regional & global politics and shared his personal assessments on the relevant topics. It was a real pleasure to host such a refined diplomat in our podcast and we feel obligated to remind our listeners that, needless to say, Mr.Kuneralp addressed our discussion topics on his personal behalf, and not on behalf of any country or office he held in the past or present. The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 22: Discussing CYprob, global politics with our special guest: Retired Ambassador Selim Kuneralp (23/4/2021) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Epiosode 6: Discussing politics in the heat of summer: East Med, elections, Varosha (22/8/2020) 21.08.2020 24m

  Despite all odds, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykallı continue to discuss the recent political developments from Cyprus. Turkish-Greek relations, tension in Eastern Mediterranean, elections in north and Varosha. Can buffer zone buffer the heat? And the best place to swim on the East. The post Nicosia Uncut – Epiosode 6: Discussing politics in the heat of summer: East Med, elections, Varosha (22/8/2020) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 1: Cold, hard truth from the divided capital (21/2/2020) 21.02.2020 32m

  In this first episode of Nicosia Uncut, Andeomachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli explain the motivation for this podcast and evaluate the developments on both sides of the divide with a particular emphasis on Varosha and Turkish Cypriot elections. The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 1: Cold, hard truth from the divided capital (21/2/2020) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 66: Guterres came. Guterres left. What now? (2/8/2026) 02.08.2026 48m

  Join Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli as they unpack the latest developments in the Cyprus issue following UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' recent visit to the island. With only months left in his term, Guterres met the two leaders, representatives of civil society, the technical committees, and spoke with the Guarantor Powers in an effort to inject new momentum into the peace process. The outcome? An agreement to convene a new 5+1 informal conference. While no date has yet been announced, Guterres made clear that he expects meaningful progress on confidence-building measures, methodology, and substance to give the meeting the best possible chance of success. What does this mean for Cyprus? Is this another diplomatic milestone—or simply another stop along a familiar road? Tune in as Andromachi and Kemal break down the latest developments, explore what happened behind the scenes, and discuss what could come next for the Cyprus talks. The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 66: Guterres came. Guterres left. What now? (2/8/2026) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 65: Will negotiations resume in 2026? (Part 2) (23/12/2025) 29.12.2025 44m

  In the last month of 2025, Nicosia Uncut producers Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli produced two consecutive and special episodes. Recorded a few days after the first part, the second part focuses on the outcome of the first meeting of leaders with the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar. What are the […] The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 65: Will negotiations resume in 2026? (Part 2) (23/12/2025) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 64: What does the election of Tufan Erhürman mean? (Part 1) (9/12/2025) 29.12.2025 40m

  In the last month of 2025, Nicosia Uncut producers Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli produced two consecutive and special episodes. The first episode focused on the election of Tufan Erhürman in the first round with 63% vote as well as the internal and external dynamics leading to the replacement of previous Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin […] The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 64: What does the election of Tufan Erhürman mean? (Part 1) (9/12/2025) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 63: One week before the critical Turkish Cypriot election: What to expect? (13/10/2025) 13.10.2025 58m

  The Turkish Cypriots will go to the ballots to elect a Turkish Cypriot leader on 19 October 2025. The main contenders are the incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, who has been adovcating a two-state solution for the solution of the Cyprus problem and Tufan Erhürman, leader of the opposition, who advocates returning to the […] The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 63: One week before the critical Turkish Cypriot election: What to expect? (13/10/2025) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 62: UNSG Special Representative Colin Stewart answered your questions (7/8/2025) 07.08.2025 59m

  In this special episode of Nicosia Uncut, UN Secretary General’s outgoing Special Representative and Head of UNFICYP Colin Stewart responded questions by Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli, as well by the podcast audience. Is UN part of the status-quo in Cyprus? What is his assessment for the future? Do we need to revise the job-description […] The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 62: UNSG Special Representative Colin Stewart answered your questions (7/8/2025) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 61: The Divided Island – “The generational trauma is real and profound” (16/7/2025) 16.07.2025 36m

  On the 51st anniversary of 1974 events, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli host Cey Sesigüzel and Andreas Tokkallos, co-producers of "The Divided Island" documentary at Nicosia Uncut podcast. These two British-Cypriot filmmakers of Two Fresh Productions are hailing from both communities and they featured real stories of Cypriots from various generations. The work is a striking contrast to the official narratives and propaganda of sides and provides humanitarian stories from the past in the first part, and a vision for the future in the second. The documentary that won the Best Documentary Feature at South London Film Festival, features James Ker-Lindsay, Andrekos Varnava, Sylvia Zacharia, Yaşar Ismailoǧlu, Tom Fortis-Mayer, Christina Pavlou, Suleyman Camgoz, Nick Yiannoullou, Sevgül Uludaǧ, Serife Gül, Ipek Özerim, and Nicosia Uncut producers Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli. It can be watched at: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thedividedisland The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 61: The Divided Island – “The generational trauma is real and profound” (16/7/2025) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 60: Special guest Nilgün Arısan Eralp – Will Turkey and Greece finally solve their differences ? (10/7/2025) 25.06.2025 49m

  In this epsiode of Nicosia Uncut, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykallı host Nilgün Arısan Eralp, Director of European Union Institute of TEPAV, a leading policy and research centre in Türkiye. Latest state of affairs in Turkish-Greek political dialogue; how will this affect the Cyprus problem? Is it possible to talk about repositioning of the EU towards Turkey? Should we expect Turkey to play an upgraded role in a possible new defence architecture in Europe? Is the EU turning a blind eye to the democratic backsliding in Turkey? What is Turkey's vision towards Cyprus? Is Israel against a power-sharing mechanism in Cyprus? What should we expect from the upcoming Turkish Cypriot elections? The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 60: Special guest Nilgün Arısan Eralp – Will Turkey and Greece finally solve their differences ? (10/7/2025) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 59: Geneva done. What’s now for Cyprus and where is the EU in this? (25/3/2025) 25.03.2025 44m

  On 17 and 18 March, the Cypriot leaders and the guarantor powers met with the UN Secretary General in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting was named as informal and nobody was sure what the expected outcome would be as the positions of the sides were clearly not bridgable. In the end, a number of confidence building measures were announced. Appointment of a new envoy was also agreed. In this episode of Nicosia Uncut, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli discuss the result of the informal meeting, the new format of the Cyprus talks, geopolitical setting, strained relations on both sides of the Atlantic, and what's next for Cyprus! The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 59: Geneva done. What’s now for Cyprus and where is the EU in this? (25/3/2025) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 58: Cyprus problem in Geneva again: What should we expect? (22/2/2025) 22.02.2025 48m

  In this episode of Nicosia Uncut, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli host Fiona Mullen, Director of Sapienta Economics. A 5 party conference on Cyprus is scheduled to take place on 17/18 March 2025 at the UN in Geneva. Apart from the two Cypriot sides, the Guarantor powers, Turkey, Greece and the UK will be represented. […] The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 58: Cyprus problem in Geneva again: What should we expect? (22/2/2025) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 57: InPeace project elaborates on the bicommunal technical committees in Cyprus (20/1/2025) 20.01.2025 47m

  In this first Nicosia Uncut episode of 2025, Andromachi Sophocleous and Kemal Baykalli host Dr.Nasia Hadjigeorgiou and Fezile Osum to discuss the bicommunal technical committees that have been established within the framework of Cyprus problem. Both Fezile and Nasia are running the EU funded InPeace Project (Inclusive Peacebuilding: The Technical Committees in Cyprus ) that studies […] The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 57: InPeace project elaborates on the bicommunal technical committees in Cyprus (20/1/2025) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 56: Multiparty meeting: each side sees it differently (18/11/2024) 18.11.2024 35m

  Following Guterres’ dinner with the Cypriot leaders in New York, an agreement has been reached to continue informal meetings with the participation of the Guarantor powers. The participation of the UK might not be at the same level as the other two, as the official position of the Turkish/Turkish Cypriot side has been for the […] The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 56: Multiparty meeting: each side sees it differently (18/11/2024) first appeared on Island Talks.
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  Nicosia Uncut – Episode 55: A dinner, but hardly a date (7/10/2024) 07.10.2024 38m

  The two Cypriot leaders have agreed to meet for a “social dinner” at the presence of the UN Secretary General. The expectations are low as sides have shown no signs of departure from their respective positions. While the Turkish Cypriot side is adamant on their so called “two states” position, which is vocally and openly […] The post Nicosia Uncut – Episode 55: A dinner, but hardly a date (7/10/2024) first appeared on Island Talks.