A Divided Cyprus Makes the Cut

After months of talk, the European Union in December made good on its promise to welcome Cyprus into its fold, even without the northern Turkish third of the island.

The EU accepted the southern, Greek portion of the island as a full member, as the United Nations rushed to get Turkish and Greek Cypriots to agree on a plan for reunification. After almost 30 years of failed diplomatic efforts by the international community, many thought the UN plan was the best possible shot at bringing both sides together.

But the February victory of Tassos Papadopoulos in the Cypriotic presidential elections has jeopardized a possible agreement, with a Feb. 28 acceptance deadline just days away.

Papadopoulos, who replaced longtime president Glafcos Clerides, said he wants to make changes to a plan many Greek Cypriots thought was weighted against them.

It is a tense situation for a country considered among the very best candidates for EU membership. The Republic of Cyprus, established in 1960 and divided following the Turkish army’s invasion in 1974, is on its way to filling most of Brussels’ strict and extensive requirements for accession.

The country’s progress reports since negotiation began in 1998 read like those of a star pupil. Brussels has glowing remarks for the country’s steps in liberalizing its economy and Nicosia’s efforts in intensifying its economic links to Europe. The population is also almost overwhelmingly in favor of accession.

A tumultuous history

“Cyprus is a functioning market economy and it should be able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union,” reads a recent report.

Only Cyprus’s divided history stands in the way now.

The United Nations’ reunification plan lays out three options for unifying the two states and gives both sides until Feb. 28 to approve it. The plan is considered by many the best in the offing since division.

The Republic of Cyprus has a majority in population and wants to be careful not to give up too much. The rotating 10-month presidency that is to be shared by both sides will be a difficult pill to swallow. Papadopoulos also wants the right of return for all Greek Cypriotic refugees to the Turkish northern third, as opposed to the current proposal giving only 50 percent that right.

The Turkish north of Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, wants its sovereignty to be recognized before it enters into the sort of confederation of states the UN envisages. Hardliners have also begun protesting the land redistribution section of the plan, which would give more land to the Greek side.