EUROPEAN IDEALS & CYPRUS WILLS
THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
The Republic of Cyprus along with its rich history and diverse culture has been a member of the European Union since 2004. Since then, the European Union has had a significant and profound impact on the island’s economy, political landscape, and general society, and the island’s relationship with the European Union has continued to constantly evolve and develop. The country’s membership of the European Union has provided numerous opportunities and benefits for the island, but it has also posed challenges and unique complexities, that have required careful management and strategic engagement.
ONGOING DIVISION
Disagreements have existed with the European union with regards to the ongoing division of the island and the unresolved Cyprus problem continues to be a source of tension within the European Union. Cyprus has been a divided island since the Turkish invasion and then subsequent occupation in 1974 and the Republic of Cyprus’s accession to the European Union was delayed after it rejecting the posthumous Annan Plan. The 5-point Annan Plan was brokered as a resolution to the problem by the European Union, but was rejected by the Republic of Cyprus using a vote to veto the plan after accession to the European
European Union was secured. The European Union responded by allowing the de-facto Turkish Cypriot area to also gain membership, but then immediately suspending it pending a permanent resolution. This is how the situation has remained creating a contentious political situation between Turkey and the European Union ever since.
A EUROPEAN ECONOMY
Since joining the European Union, Cyprus has undergone significant economic reforms and modernisation. The island has become an important financial and business hub in the Eastern Mediterranean and one of the most significant benefits of European Union membership has been its access to the single market. This has facilitated its trade and investment and has promoted economic growth and development all over the island.
BROADER FOREIGN POLICY INTERESTS
Cyprus has had to navigate complex geo-political dynamics and regional tensions in its relationship with the European Union. The country’s proximity to the Middle East and its strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean have made it a key player in regional politics and security, and it has had to balance its European Union commitments with its broader foreign policy. The discovery of natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean has also raised questions about energy co-operation and competition in the region, and it has added a new dimension to Cyprus’s relationship with the European Union and its neighbours.
ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES
Cyprus has recently faced additional challenges related to the global economic crisis, the migration and refugee crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These problems have had a significant impact on the country’s economy, sociology, and public health, and these collective issues have tested the resilience and capacity of Cyprus’s institutions and governance. The European Union has provided support and assistance to Cyprus in addressing these challenges, but they have also highlighted the need for a greater co-operation and solidarity between the island and the European Union.
EUROPEAN FUNDING
The European Union has provided funding for a number of infrastructure projects, environmental protection, and regional development all over the island. The European Union has also promoted the modernisation of Cyprus’s public sector by strengthening the country’s institutions and regulatory framework and this has ultimately boosted the island’s economic development.
POLITICAL & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Membership of the European Union has also had a significant impact on Cyprus’s political and social development. The country has adopted European Union laws and regulations, and it has implemented various reforms to align its legal and administrative systems with European standards. The European Union has also promoted the protection of human rights, the rule of law, and democratic principles in Cyprus, and it has supported efforts to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions and civil society.
COMMON EUROPEAN CHALLENGES
The EU has also supported Cyprus’s efforts to address common European challenges, such as migration, security, and environmental protection, and it has promoted dialogue and co-operation between Cyprus and its neighbours in the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, European Union membership has facilitated greater co-operation and integration between Cyprus and other European Union member states and the country has participated in various European Union programs and initiatives, exchanging partnerships with a number of other European countries.
THE EUROPEAN PROJECT
Cyprus’s European Union membership has been a transformative and dynamic process that has re-shaped the country’s identity. European Union membership has also forged a new future for the island within the European family. Cyprus’s relationship with the European Union is likely to continue to evolve and develop in response to ever changing geo-political, economic, and social dynamics. Cyprus has managed to navigate its relationship with the European Union in a way that has promoted its national interests and values, while contributing to its broader goals and objectives allowing Cyprus to firmly become an intricate part of the European project and find itself at the forefront of European affairs.
