Cyprus, Turkey and the EU: Time for a sense of proportion and compromise

The start of Turkish accession talks provided a faint glimmer of hope for unfreezing the Cyprus stalemate that has prevailed since the Greek Cypriots voted down a UN-sponsored settlement plan in 2004. However, the negotiations could be blocked unless Turkey fully implements its customs union agreement with the EU by allowing Greek Cypriot ships into its ports. Turkey has refrained from doing so because the EU has not fulfilled its pledge to restore trade links with Northern Cyprus.

A prolonged stand-off would only make the search for a comprehensive settlement even more difficult. Neither the EU nor Turkey should think of postponing an effort to sort out the Cyprus problem until later in the accession process. The risk of the Greek Cypriot administration vetoing Turkish membership would remain, and that would prevent a reunification of the island in the long term.

The EU can help to avoid this risk by supporting separate solutions to the ports and trade questions, while at the same time supporting longer term efforts to find a comprehensive settlement.