Turkey, the Cyprus Issue and the European Union

Abstract

Turkey's EU membership was a distant possibility in the 1980s and 1990s. Following the decision of the December 2002 Copenhagen European Council, however, it has become a more realizable goal. Now Turkey is a candidate country and accession negotiations may commence wirhout delay if the European Council so decides in December 2004. A Cyprus settlement is not a formal condition for Turkish accession. Yet, there is also a view spearheaded by the Greek side that Turkey must make substantial concessions in Cyprus to help reunify the island. This position may have an impact on borh Turkey's European course and the search for a settlement on Cyprus.