Throughout the 1990s and up until late 2001, the EU variable in the Cyprus conflict failed to trigger a settlement on the island. Yet, with the resumption of direct talks between the two Cypriot leaders, the EU is faced with a unique opportunity to actively encourage the search for peace in Cyprus. This article provides some tentative ideas about what external actors and the EU in particular can do in order to sustain and encourage these positive dynamics. The EU factor could still act as a "catalyst" to settle in Cyprus provided it sent the adequate signals and positive incentives to the conflicting parties. What incentives could the EU offer to Turkey, the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots in order to encourage a settlement on the island by the end of 2002? Please click here to read the text in full