Return to Europe: EU Accession as a Turning Point in Cypriot History

Abstract

British rule significantly facilitated Cyprus's contact with European trends. Indeed, even the rise of the Enosis movement reflected the advent of the idea of self-derermination throughout the continent, and complimented the imposition of Western adminisrrative, economic and judicial structures by 'liberal Britain'. However, the extension of colonial rule after the First World War partially detached Cyprus from the mainstream of European history and placed the island in the context of colonial liberation movements. The accession to the EU represents a long-awaited return ro Europe, which opens new opporrunities in rhe search for a common future for rhe Greek-Cypriors and Turkish-Cypriots.