The Cyprus obstacle on Turkey’s road to membership in the European Union

Article abstract:

The compromise reached as of March 6, 1995, and the 1999 Helsinki European Council within the European Union (EU) framework concerning Turkey and Cyprus confirms the linkage between the Turkish and Cypriot candidatures for membership to the EU. Turkey cannot block the accession of Cyprus to the EU by not contributing to the resolution of the Cyprus conflict. This strategy would jeopardise the accession of Turkey, as well as the accession of Turkish Cypriots. Therefore, the status quo is to the benefit of the Greek Cypriots, who will be able to join the EU even if the Cyprus problem is not settled.