The Cyprus conflict did not immediately become a precondition for Turkey ’ s EU accession . Several major factors contributed to the formation of the Cyprus conflict as a condition for Turkey ’ s accession to the EU . Considering the historically complicated relations between the major players – Turkey , Greece , the European Community ( later European Union ) and Cyprus – this study is trying to find out the historical turning points and the circumstances of the Cyprus conflict and the ways it has impacted the Turkey-EU relations . This study tries to contribute to the study of EU-Turkey relations and the Cyprus conflict presenting EU conditionality as an effective mechanism to contain Turkey ’ s antagonistic actions and to balance the interests of Turkey , Greece , and Cyprus . The study consists of three chapters : the first chapter reflects the historical perspective of Turkey-EU relations in the framework of the Cyprus conflict ; the second chapter addresses the component problems of the Cyprus conflict ; and the final chapter focuses on the current contradictions and disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean while trying to analyze their historical implications .
Historical Perspective of Turkey-EU Relations and the Cyprus Conflict
During the Cold War , all countries were faced with the choice of allying with either Soviet or the Western bloc . Both Greece and Turkey started strengthening their ties with Europe by joining various Western institutions . As a result , both countries joined NATO on the same day in 1952 1 clarifying their position in the bipolar world . Being to some extent protected from the Soviet threat , Turkey and Greece started thinking of diversifying their external economic ties through integration into European economic institutions 2 . This opportunity was suggested by the newly founded European Economic Community , which had an ambitious goal of creating an “ ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe 3 ”. Thus , a month apart , first Greece 4 then Turkey applied for admission to the European Economic Community ( EEC ) 5 . It is vital to mention that besides economic ,
1
NATO Member Countries . ( 2020 ). North Atlantic Treaty Organization . https :// www . nato . int / cps / en / natolive / topics _ 52044 . htm
2
Öniş Z ., Greek-Turkish Relations and the European Union : A Critical Perspective , Mediterranean Politics , 6 ( 3 ), ( 2001 ), 31 – 45
3
The Treaty of Rome . ( 1957 ). https :// ec . europa . eu / archives / emu _ history / documents / - treaties / rometreaty2 . pdf
4
Greece ’ s Course in the EU . ( 2020 ). Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs . https :// www . mfa . gr / en / foreign-policy / greece-in-the-eu / greeces-course-in-the-eu . html
5
Müftüler-Baç M ., Turkey ’ s Accession Negotiations with the European Union : The Long Path Ahead . In Turkey-European Union Relations : Dilemmas , Opportunities , and Constraints ( Lexington Books , 2008 ), 115 – 133
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