CYPRUS ISSUE Ayselin YILDIZ INRL 360 EU-TURKEY RELATIONS 2018
CYPRUS
Cyrpus under Ottoman Empire 1571-1878 (307 years) The Greek and Turkish Cypriots, lived together 1878 Ottoman Empire left the island to UK (Events in Balkans, 1977-1878 Russian-Turkish War) UK annexed the island in WWI. Island s population was 500.000 20% of the population were Turks
ENOSIS Annexation of Cyrpus by Greece: Since 1930s, Hellenize the entire population of the island and unite with Greece. Plebiscite in 1950 by Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church: 98% in favor of ENOSIS Terrorist organization EOKA formed by Greek Colonel Grivas. In 1955, violent events and murders by EOKA Pressure on UK to realize ENOSIS DECOLONILIZATION OF CYPRUS
REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS Establishment of the independent Cyprus Republic 1960 with London-Zurich Accords (1959). Bi-national independence (not a unitary state), quasi federal Rep.of Cyprus Political equality Single international identity Administrative partnership of the two communities Shared the legislative, executive and judical powers Balance between Turkey and Greece
1960 CONSTITUTION The Greek community comprises all citizens of the Republic who are of Greek origin and whose mother tongue is Greek or who share the Greek cultural traditions or who are members of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Turkish community comprises all citizens of the Republic who are of Turkish origin and whose mother tongue is Turkish or who share the Turkish cultural traditions or who are Muslims. The official languages of the Republic are Greek and Turkish. ALWAYS TWO ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
1960 CONSTITUTION Executive power is vested in the President and the Vice- President, who are members of the Greek and Turkish Communities respectively, and are elected by their respective communities to hold office for five years
TREATY OF GUARANTEE Turkey, Britain and Greece the guarantors of the Republic and the Constitution Recognized the right of military intervention by the guarantors should the status of Cyprus be threatened
1963-1974 POLITICAL CRISIS AND CIVILIAN MASACCARES Federal constitution was overthrown by the Greek Cypriots Abolition of articles that protects the equal status of Turkish Cypriots Isolation of the Turkish community into enclaves Forced evacuation of the Turkish Cypriotic representatives from the government of Cyprus at all levels intercommunal violence and 11 year long ethnic strife. Turkish Cypriot mass grave in 1974
JOHNSON S LETTER 1964 CHRISTMAS 1963: Greek Cyprus militia massacred Turkish Cypriots To Prime Minister İsmet İnönü
DIVISION OF THE ISLAND 1974 Association Agreement (1973) UK became EU member (1973) Greece became member (1981) Vested interests Greek junta regime staged a coup d etat against the Greek Cypriot president Makarios Claimed the annexation of the island to Greece Violation of the London Zurich Accords Turkey staged a unilateral intervention revoking its right of interference Internationally recognized Greek Cypriot administration and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that is only recognized by Turkey
ROLE OF UK String economic dependence between Cyprus and the UK 1950s, 1960s Cyprus exports to UK 1961 UK s application to EEC-1963 Gaulle s veto EEC s involvement----more economic and package deal with the UK
Cyprus applied for EU membership 1990 Cyprus official candidate 1997 CONDITIONALITY: SOLUTION, POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IS NECESSARY CONDITION FOR CYPRUS ACCESSION OT THE EU UNTIL HELSINKI SUMMIT 1999 According to the 1960 Constitution which stipulates that Cyprus cannot join an international organization of which Greece and Turkey are not members Turning point Full member of the EU (2004) MEMBERSHIP TO THE EU WITHOUT A SOLUTION THE PROBLEM IS CARRIED TO THE EU LEVEL INTERNAL PROBLEM OF THE EU
Commission opinion of 1993 The Commission feels that a positive signal should be sent to the authorities and the people of Cyprus confirming that the Community considers Cyprus as eligible for membership and that as soon as the prospect of a settlement is surer, the Community is ready to start the process with Cyprus that should eventually lead to its accession
The external relations of the EU are decided by unanimity VETO POWER OF GREECE Ban on Turkish Cypriots exports to the EU states Exports originated from confiscated property of Greek Cypriots and therefore had to be certificated by the Republic of Cyprus.
GREEK VETO I Turkey s customs union negotiations-------acceptable date was given for the start of negotiations for the accession of Cyprus. (1994, 1995) 1997 Luxembourg Summit: Cyprus is official candidate The division of the island remained the obstacle to its accession to the EU. 1997 1998 Turkey: application of the Greek Cypriot side for membership in the EU had no legal basis 1960 ToG: Cyprus can not join international organizations, political and economic unions of which both Turkey and Greece are not members.
GREEK VETO II Helsinki Summit 1999 Greek veto on Eastern enlargement---cyprus membership EU has accepted Cyprus as a full member independent of a resolution of the conflict Cyprus s membership does not necessitate a settlement over the division of the island----yes TO TURKEY S CANDIDATE STATUS
Who is protecting the Turkish Cypriots political rights now? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp3axkitals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ffbcdeddtu Please read: Meltem-Muftuler-Bac and Aylin Guney, The European Union and the Cyprus Problem, 1961-2003, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/ 10.1080/00263200500035462