The effects of EU membership on Cypriot national politics

Abstract

Soon after proclaiming independence in 1960, Cypriot national politics caused the division of the island of Cyprus along ethnic lines. The political solution to the Cyprus Problem both within and outside Cyprus is still being discussed. In 1990, the application of the Republic of Cyprus for full membership to the European Union (EU) gave these discussions a new and fresh impetus. The EU is keen to have the political union of the divided Cyprus resolved. Today, Cyprus is a full member without the Turkish-Cypriot part of North Cyprus. Turkey has applied for membership of the EU and the EU has in its negotiating framework underlined Turkey's support for efforts to achieve a settlement of the Cyprus Problem within the UN framework and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded. This gives EU and Cyprus another opportunity to bring about a comprehensive political union of the divided Cyprus, failing which, a point would be reached where division of the island of Cyprus would become permanent. In this dissertation Chapter One explores the struggle of Enosis by the Greek Cypriots, leading to the Zurich and London Agreements, and the two Treaties - the Treaty of Guarantee and the Treaty of Alliance. This lead to the 1960 Constitution, drafted by the two communities - the Greek and Turkish Cypriots - on the basis of ethnic origin. Chapter Two discusses the events of 1974 - coup d'etat by Greek Cypriot National Guards intent on joining Greece and the de facto partition of Cyprus by the Turkish military intervention radically altered the political landscape of Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots renamed their "state" the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" whilst restating their commitment to working toward a federal solution. The Greek Cypriots maintained that the Republic of Cyprus established in 1960 continued to exist with functioning institutions. Chapter Three analyses history, culture and civilization of Cyprus that have long been associated with Europe. Thus, the goal of accession to the EU was a natural choice for Cyprus. It examines Cyprus-EU relationship from the time Cyprus became an associate member of the European Community in 1973, its application for EU membership, negotiations and pre-accession strategy, EU membership and the Cyprus Problem. The final Chapter talks of the Annan Plan, a United Nations proposal supported by EU to bring about reunification of the divided Cyprus as the 'United Cyprus Republic' prior to the EU enlargement on 1 May 2004. The dissertation is concluded by analysing the political situation and present future political scenarios for Cyprus in light of the Turkey-EU membership talks.