Europeanization and ‘Internalized’ Conflicts: The Case of Cyprus

Abstract:

This article investigates the role of the EU in conflict resolution, taking Cyprus as a case of an 'internalized' conflict, whereby a side of the dispute (Greek Cypriots) has joined the EU, while the rest of actors (Turkey, Turkish Cypriots) remain outside but are still developing relations to Brussels. In exploring the impact of the EU on Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot and Turkish policies towards the dispute, this work engages with the Europeanization debate. The argument advanced is that internalization of the conflict limits the ability of the EU to act in the dispute and triggers inflexible policies, which are counterproductive to resolution. This work contributes to the Europeanization discussion and the impact of the EU on domestic policies, especially in conflict situations. With a series of conflicts in the European periphery but also disputes within the EU (e.g. separatists tensions), this is a contribution to the understudied topic of 'internalized conflicts'.