Cyprus as a Litmus for the EU and Turkey

Cyprus as a Litmus Test for the EU and Turkey

by Andreas Theophanous, Professor of Political Economy and Director General of the Center

The participation of the Republic of Cyprus in the EU entails mutual obligations – of Cyprus towards the EU and of the EU towards Cyprus. It goes without saying that the Republic of Cyprus expects to be treated as an equal member of the EU. And it is not possible for a member country of the EU to consent to the start of accession talks with another country, which not only refuses to recognize it, but has been, for the past 30 years, occupying almost 40% of its territory – with all that this entails. At the same time, as a gesture of solidarity and compliance with EU principles, all the other member countries of the Union are called upon to point out the soundness of this self-evident position to Turkey.

The occupation of the northern part of Cyprus by Turkey has tended, over time, to create distortions of how aspects of the situation are viewed. Positions and principles, the questioning of which would have been considered an insult by any other European country, were being discussed in Cyprus as part of a give-and-take process for achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem. It is not surprising, therefore, that those negotiations led to the submission of the Annan Plan in November 2002 – and to the dissent between the then government and the feelings of the vast majority of Greek Cypriots.

The accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU has, among other things, led to significant geostrategic changes in the Eastern Mediterranean. The geostrategic control exercised by Turkey on Cyprus is essentially being eroded. In the aftermath of May 1, 2004, Turkey strategically controls only the occupied part of Cyprus – which is now occupied European territory as well. The Republic of Cyprus has no other choice but to try and become an active member of all the institutions of the EU – including those of foreign policy, security and defense. The opposition of any country to such a course on the part of the Republic of Cyprus would be tantamount to opposing the Union itself. All these developments tend to create a new state of affairs. Given the appropriate strategic initiatives and tactical moves by the Republic of Cyprus, conditions can be created that would lead to a solution of the Cyprus problem securing and safeguarding the independence and the territorial integrity of the country as well as the human rights of all Cypriots.

Cyprus and developments revolving around it constitute a litmus test both for the EU, as regards respecting its own values, principles and interests, as well as for Turkey, as regards its sincerity and readiness in seeking to become a truly European state. Cyprus is not only legitimized, on account of illegal acts perpetrated against it, but is also under obligation, by virtue of being a member of the EU, to put forward demands in relation to the prospect of accession talks between the Union and Turkey. Ultimately, it is not the Republic of Cyprus but Turkey’s own attitudes, including its policy on Cyprus, which might thwart its bid to join the EU.

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