The European Union and Cyprus

Book abstract:

The main purpose of this book is to describe the past relations between Cyprus and the European Union, two international entities of contested status created at the same moment in history. The contemporary story of the European Union's relations with Cyprus is therefore pegged on the historic compromise of 6 March 1995 when the EU decided to include Cyprus in its current wave of enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe. This is the subject of the first chapter of the book. Chapter two moves back over previous decades of EEC relations with Cyprus, long before there was any suggestion that Cyprus had a European vocation. Chapter three goes forward from 1995 to describe how the process of accession was largely separate from, and inimical to, a settlement of the communal dispute so long as Greece and Turkey remained at odds. The idea that the accession process would stimulate reconciliation between Greek and Turkish Cypriots proved as empty as the Council's hope that relations between Greece and Turkey would be normalised.

The following two chapters examine the relations of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities with their motherland in terms of concerting their policy towards the European Union. Chapter six examines the EU role in Cyprus in its relations with what, since Bosnia, have been known as The Internationals, namely the Americans, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Countries, NATO, the Council of Europe, and latterly, the G8 group of the richest industrialised countries. The Commonwealth's support of the Greek Cypriot side and the Organisation of Islamic Countries' tepid support of the Turkish side are discussed. Finally, the concluding chapter assesses the implications of EU involvement in Cypriot accession and dispute settlement for the articulation of an enlarged European sense of identity, a greater institutional acceptance of responsibility, and for the political and economic integration of Europe.

Christopher Brewin is a lecturer in International Relations at Keele University. He has written widely on Europe's impact on its neighbours and competitors and has been five times a Visiting Professor at Marmara University, Istanbul.