DOI : 10.52837 / 25792970-2021-10.1-48
MARI AVETISYAN
The Impact of the Cyprus Conflict on Turkey ' s EU Accession Process
Abstract : This study aims to analyze the impact of the Cyprus conflict on Turkey-EU relations while considering several factors : 1 ) the EU conditionality approach , 2 ) Turkish-Greek relations , 3 ) component problems of the Cyprus conflict 4 ) the recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and their impact on Turkey-EU relations . The main focus is on the documents and decisions of different bodies of the EU and how they link the Cyprus conflict to Turkey ’ s accession process and how Turkey reacts to them . For this purpose , a content analysis of documents , decisions , and protocols issued by the European Council and Commission and Progress Reports on Turkey is conducted . The conclusions drawn from the research are the following : 1 ) the Cyprus conflict and Turkey ’ s tense relations with Greece have negatively impacted and continue to impact Turkey-EU relations , 2 ) Turkey , to some extent , conformed to EU conditionality when it did not refer to the Cyprus conflict , 3 ) the problems of rights to ports / airports of Cyprus and the issues of property and IDPs shape the strained relations between Turkey and the EU , and finally 4 ) the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean concerning rights to hydrocarbons currently and in the near future will determine the geopolitical dynamics in the region . Keywords : Turkey-EU relations , Cyprus conflict , Greece , conditionality , “ TRNC ”, accession .
Introduction
As of 2021 , Turkey has been attempting to join the European Union for sixtytwo years . Due to the strained situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the democratic backslide in the country , the relations between the EU and Turkey are at a historic low point .
To join the EU , Turkey has to comply with the rules and standards of the Union . Along with political and economic problems , the Cyprus conflict is considered to be one of the major obstacles for Turkey on its way to the EU . As of 1974 , approximately 37 % of Cyprus ’ s territory is occupied by Turkey . Over the years , efforts have been made to find a solution to the conflict . However , the complicated problems and several stakeholders have brought the negotiation process to stagnation . In the beginning of the 2000s , Turkey tried to implement a balancing policy attempting to hasten the accession process to the EU without completely abandoning its “ national cause ” – Cyprus .
48