Navigating the Cyprus question : the EU’s role in the 2008 negotiations and the Eastern Mediterranean crisis

Abstract

The enlargement of the European Union (EU) in 2004 marked a significant milestone in its history, as it not only substantially increased the EU’s membership but also expanded its cultural and political horizons. Nonetheless, the 2004 enlargement did not come free of challenges. One of the most significant challenges was the accession of the Republic of Cyprus due to the Cyprus issue which remained unresolved, despite efforts for resolution before the final accession in May 2004. The current paper will discuss the case of Cyprus by focusing on the role of the European Union during two key post-2004 periods; the 2008 negotiation process and the Eastern Mediterranean crisis of 2018. The effort will be to highlight the role of the European Union in these developments and to analyse the challenges and opportunities for the European Union to engage more actively with the resolution of the Cyprus issue.