The European Union and a Divided Cyprus Essay -- Politics Turkey Greec

The Implications for the European Union of Cyprus being divided between Turkey and Greece The island of Cyprus is the third largest in the Mediterranean with the 2002 population around 705,5000. Its main economic activities include banking, craft exports, merchant shipping, and tourism, which accounts for twenty percent of business (europa.eu.int). For almost thirty years it has been split between Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots. The ongoing feud between the two groups and the split of the island in 1974 has lead to much political tension in Europe, especially with the European Union expanding its membership and adding, as of now, only half of the island of Cyprus in May 2004. History Cyprus has always been a center of international trade because of its key location in the Mediterranean between Europe and the Middle East. Greeks settled here in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, bringing the Greek language with them. Because of its close proximity to Turkey, Turks also moved to the island (europa.eu.int). In 1960 the island gained independence from British rule (eubusiness.com 11/4/03). The two groups of occupants had a bi-communal structure with each group speaking their own language and holding to their own traditions until 1963 when violence broke out between the two groups. The United Nations sent peacekeeping forces, which are still there to this day. In August of 1974 the Greek Cypriots tried to join Greece and the Turk Cypriots called for forces from Turkey; this act split the island. The capitol of the island, Nicosia, still has a wall splitting the two sides, much like the Berlin wall (europa.eu.int). The two sides are separated by barbed wire, pill boxes, and soldiers carrying guns (The Economis... ....c6wke3w4>. European Stand on the Cyprus Problem. 19 Dec. 2003 <http://www.kypros.org/cyprus_problem/eudocs/intro.html>. ?Loosening Up? Is there still a chance for settlement in Cyprus??The Economist 17-23 May 2003. ?The Magic of Membership: The lure of the EU may yet settle Cyprus.? The Economist 18-24 Jan. 2003. Relationship with Cyprus.16 Dec. 2003 <http://europa.eu/int/comm/enlargement/cyprus/index.htm Turkey makes EU bid a top priority. 8 Dec. 2003. EU Business Ltd. 8 Dec. 2003 http://eubusiness.com/afp/031208173514.w3fxycbr>. Turkish Cypriots vote in elections crucial for EU, Turkey. 14 Dec. 2003. EU Business Ltd. . 16 Dec.2003 <http://eubusiness.com/afp/031214103303.88diym19>. Vassiliou,George. EU Enlargement and Cyprus Political and Economic Implications. 16 Dec. 2003 "What A Waste." The Economist 15-21 Mar. 2003. The European Union and a Divided Cyprus Essay -- Politics Turkey Greec The Implications for the European Union of Cyprus being divided between Turkey and Greece The island of Cyprus is the third largest in the Mediterranean with the 2002 population around 705,5000. Its main economic activities include banking, craft exports, merchant shipping, and tourism, which accounts for twenty percent of business (europa.eu.int). For almost thirty years it has been split between Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots. The ongoing feud between the two groups and the split of the island in 1974 has lead to much political tension in Europe, especially with the European Union expanding its membership and adding, as of now, only half of the island of Cyprus in May 2004. History Cyprus has always been a center of international trade because of its key location in the Mediterranean between Europe and the Middle East. Greeks settled here in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, bringing the Greek language with them. Because of its close proximity to Turkey, Turks also moved to the island (europa.eu.int). In 1960 the island gained independence from British rule (eubusiness.com 11/4/03). The two groups of occupants had a bi-communal structure with each group speaking their own language and holding to their own traditions until 1963 when violence broke out between the two groups. The United Nations sent peacekeeping forces, which are still there to this day. In August of 1974 the Greek Cypriots tried to join Greece and the Turk Cypriots called for forces from Turkey; this act split the island. The capitol of the island, Nicosia, still has a wall splitting the two sides, much like the Berlin wall (europa.eu.int). The two sides are separated by barbed wire, pill boxes, and soldiers carrying guns (The Economis... ....c6wke3w4>. European Stand on the Cyprus Problem. 19 Dec. 2003 <http://www.kypros.org/cyprus_problem/eudocs/intro.html>. ?Loosening Up? Is there still a chance for settlement in Cyprus??The Economist 17-23 May 2003. ?The Magic of Membership: The lure of the EU may yet settle Cyprus.? The Economist 18-24 Jan. 2003. Relationship with Cyprus.16 Dec. 2003 <http://europa.eu/int/comm/enlargement/cyprus/index.htm Turkey makes EU bid a top priority. 8 Dec. 2003. EU Business Ltd. 8 Dec. 2003 http://eubusiness.com/afp/031208173514.w3fxycbr>. Turkish Cypriots vote in elections crucial for EU, Turkey. 14 Dec. 2003. EU Business Ltd. . 16 Dec.2003 <http://eubusiness.com/afp/031214103303.88diym19>. Vassiliou,George. EU Enlargement and Cyprus Political and Economic Implications. 16 Dec. 2003 "What A Waste." The Economist 15-21 Mar. 2003.