Examines if Cyprus’s divided status sets a precedent for EU integration of candidates with disputed territories like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.
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The text discusses the complex issue of territorial integrity for EU candidate countries, using Cyprus as a primary example. While Cyprus, an EU member since 2004, has an unresolved division, the author suggests this issue has not been a major concern for the EU overall. The article questions whether Cyprus can serve as a model for integrating Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, which also have separatist or Russian-occupied territories. The author argues that the situation with Russia is fundamentally different from Turkey’s, citing Russia’s existential threat to the EU’s closest members. Furthermore, the text notes that the development potential and international sanctions surrounding the occupied territories differ significantly from the Turkish-controlled areas of Cyprus. Ultimately, the piece concludes that EU accession negotiations, even with disputed territories, imply the inclusion of the entire country, setting a new precedent for the EU.
