Will the Turkish EU-Accession Fail because of Cyprus? Cover Image
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Scheitert der türkische EU-Beitritt an Zypern?
Will the Turkish EU-Accession Fail because of Cyprus?

Author(s): Heinz Kramer
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Südosteuropa Gesellschaft e.V.

Summary/Abstract: The EU and Turkey are at loggerheads over Cyprus. The Union demands from Ankara to extend the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement concerning the customs union between Turkey and the EU to the Republic of Cyprus and, consequently, to open its ports and airports to Cypriot transport. Turkey refuses this unless some decisive steps are taken by Brussels that would help to end the international isolation of the Turkish-Cypriot state in the North of the island, especially by introducing direct trade between EU states and Northern Cyprus via northern ports and airports. The EU is prevented from doing this by its member-state Republic of Cyprus which eagerly seeks to uphold its international position as the only legal representative of the island. Thus, the Cyprus problem has great potential to deadlock EU-Turkey accession negotiations. The article analyses the positions of both sides and discusses possible ways out ending with a less than optimistic outlook.

  • Issue Year: 2006
  • Issue No: 03
  • Page Range: 32-45
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: German