Cyprus

Capital: Nicosia
Population: 0.78 mill.
GDP per capita: 18 900 Euros (2006)
Schengen zone: no
Eurozone: yes
EU-accession: 2004
Cities with European institutions or agencies:

EU-relations: Cyprus is the largest island in the Eastern Mediterranean region and is situated on the threshold between European and Asian culture. Cyprus represents a special diplomatic challenge for the EU because of its partition and the question about Cyprus that has not been solved yet. Since 1974 the country has been split into a Southern Greek section and into a Northern section that is occupied by Turkey. Since 1972, an association treaty has connected the island with the European Community. In 1990, Cyprus has applied for the EU accession. During the accession negotiations the EU aimed to get a peaceful solution of the conflict between Turkey and Cyprus. Under the leadership of the UN, a peace plan (the so-called Annan Plan for Cyprus) was prepared that was aimed at reuniting the island. But a large majority in the Greek part of Cyprus voted against a reunion in a referendum that was held on 24 April 2004, whereas the Turkish part supported the reunion. On 1 May 2004, only the Greek part of Cyprus became a member of the EU. Especially in the accession negotiations with Turkey, the Cyprus question plays an important role. Lately, some first steps towards reunification have been taken.

Analysis

CYPRUS: END OF THE CONFLICT?

The Greek and the Turkish communities restarted peace talks to put an end to the illegitimate partition of the island. This time circumstances look more favorable than ever. However many (...)

by Francesco MOLICA - 10 November 2008

Recently, in the news

18 February 2008 - The Event

One small step closer to reunification

The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence of the University of Roma Tor Vergata, in partnership with Eurosduvillage group, is organizing the eighth edition of the Jean Monnet Summer Seminar a high level seminar on the functioning of the European Union addressed to graduate and Phd students as well as young civil servants. The seminar include two teaching modules lasting one week. The first module (4-8 July) will analyze the decision making process of the European Union while the second one (11-15 July) the foreign policy of the European Union. For more information and registration go to: http://www.eusummerseminar.uniroma2.it/