Cypriots go to the European elections united and hopeful of reunification

In Cyprus, the European elections on 9 June will mark the 20th anniversary of its EU membership. Cyprus was part of the great enlargement of 2004 and is no longer a newly elected member state. 20 years is enough time to draw conclusions: what has been learned, what has been achieved, what has gone wrong?

Published on 24 April 2024 at 17:34

Kyriakos Pierides - Politis (Nicosia)

©Madeleina Kay

Select a language

This article is reserved for our subscribers

Undoubtedly, Cyprus has found its place in the modern world as one of the most advanced states with a long democratic tradition, after wandering in the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War. However, the island has failed to resolve its most important problem, the deep political divide that separates it into two regions.

One, controlled by the government of Cyprus and led by the Greek Cypriot community, is fully integrated into the EU. In the other region, the northern part, run by the Turkish Cypriot community, there is strong political and military influence from Ankara. Cyprus has joined the EU with its entire territory, but the European acquis is suspended until the Cyprus problem is resolved.

More : Anti-war Russians find refuge in Cyprus

The UN and the EU support the reunification of the island into a federal republic. They reject the partition into two Cypriot states. Only the solution and reunification of the island will bring peace and stability to Cyprus and freedom from Turkey's military presence on 37% of its territory. As long as the Cyprus problem remains unresolved, the two Cypriot communities will remain alienated and friction with Turkey will continue to complicate the EU's relations in the region.

2024 also marks a number of other, albeit sad, anniversaries for Cyprus: The Turkish invasion and occupation that divided the island in 1974 after the then Greek military regime staged a coup against the Cypriot government. Another 60 years have passed since the first bloody riots between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in 1964. Since then, the UN has maintained a peacekeeping force on the island to prevent the worst from happening.

A missed opportunity

In contrast to the EU's historical path, Cypriots have failed to use EU membership as a catalyst for reunification, cooperation and reconciliation on the island. The main reasons for this are the lack of political leadership among Cypriots for mutual compromise and the constant confrontation with Turkey, which has its own strong interests in Cyprus.

A new approach that brings Turkey closer to the EU (enhanced customs union, visa liberalisation) and the Turkish Cypriot community on a common path with th…