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Undoubtedly, Cyprus has discovered its place within the trendy world as one of the superior states with an extended democratic custom, after wandering within the Non-Aligned Motion throughout the Chilly Battle. Nonetheless, the island has did not resolve its most necessary downside, the deep political divide that separates it into two areas.
One, managed by the federal government of Cyprus and led by the Greek Cypriot group, is absolutely built-in into the EU. Within the different area, the northern half, run by the Turkish Cypriot group, there may be robust political and army affect from Ankara. Cyprus has joined the EU with its total territory, however the European acquis is suspended till the Cyprus downside is resolved.
The UN and the EU assist the reunification of the island right into a federal republic. They reject the partition into two Cypriot states. Solely the answer and reunification of the island will deliver peace and stability to Cyprus and freedom from Turkey’s army presence on 37% of its territory. So long as the Cyprus downside stays unresolved, the 2 Cypriot communities will stay alienated and friction with Turkey will proceed to complicate the EU’s relations within the area.
2024 additionally marks various different, albeit unhappy, anniversaries for Cyprus: The Turkish invasion and occupation that divided the island in 1974 after the then Greek army regime staged a coup in opposition to the Cypriot authorities. One other 60 years have handed because the first bloody riots between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in 1964. Since then, the UN has maintained a peacekeeping pressure on the island to forestall the worst from taking place.
A missed alternative
In distinction to the EU’s historic path, Cypriots have failed to make use of EU membership as a catalyst for reunification, cooperation and reconciliation on the island. The principle causes for this are the shortage of political management amongst Cypriots for mutual compromise and the fixed confrontation with Turkey, which has its personal robust pursuits in Cyprus.
A brand new method that brings Turkey nearer to the EU (enhanced customs union, visa liberalisation) and the Turkish Cypriot group on a standard path with th…
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