This month in Strasbourg MEPs voted in favour of the EU opening accession negotiations with Cyprus, while also stressing the importance of including the Turkish Cypriot community in the negotiations. In many ways the signs look good for Cyprus to integrate quickly into the EU. The Commission delivered a favourable opinion on its application for membership in July 1993.
Cyprus enjoys an advanced level of development and economic dynamism. Unemployment is at only 2.5 per cent, inflation at 3 per cent and public debt at 53 per cent of GNP in 1996. However, the occupation of the northern part of the island by Turkey remains a thorny issue, despite efforts under UN auspices to achieve a political settlement. The face-to-face talks that have taken place between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities were giving grounds for optimism.
The angry reaction of the Turkish government, to what it terms a snub from the EU in its bid to join the Community, threatens to complicate the process. The Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, also said that the decision to start membership talks with Cyprus means the end of the face-to-face talks on the island.
Before these events, the EU was supporting the planned settlement for the island, involving the establishment of a bicommunal and bizonal federation. The Commission has declared that it wishes to play a positive role in bringing about a just and lasting settlement. It believes that the status quo is at odds with international law and has implications for the security of Europe as a whole.
The Commission has declared itself available to advise on the compatibility of any institutional arrangements that might be drawn up for the island with the obligations of new member states. It also believes that the political and economic advantages of accession will become clear to Turkish as well as Greek Cypriots and will provide an incentive to progress.