Introduction
I went on a short holiday to Paphos, Cyprus. It caused me to recall the long years of turmoil in this nation, which still bears the scars. Like Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus is a divided island that had to be handled to enable the EU to fulfill its obligations for new member or exiting of a member.
Brexit and the Cyprus dispute are two complex geopolitical events that have both experienced significant interactions with the European Union (EU). Although distinct in nature and context, a comparison between the two can reveal interesting similarities and differences. This blog post delves deeper into these aspects, focusing on how they have impacted negotiations and relations with the EU.
Brexit and Northern Ireland: Background and Negotiations
Brexit refers to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU, a process initiated with a referendum in 2016. The UK's departure from the EU has resulted in an array of complications, one of which has been the future of Northern Ireland. As part of the UK, Northern Ireland was set to leave the EU along with the rest of the country. However, its shared border with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member, raised concerns about the implications of a "hard border" on the peace process established by the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Throughout the Brexit negotiations, the EU and the UK grappled with the delicate issue of Northern Ireland's future. The primary goal was to find a solution that would avoid a hard border and thus, maintain the fragile peace on the island. The result was the Northern Ireland Protocol, which effectively keeps Northern Ireland in the EU's Single Market for goods and enforces EU customs rules at its ports. This created a de facto border in the Irish Sea, a solution that has generated significant controversy and continues to be a source of tension between the EU and the UK.
Cyprus and the EU: Background and Negotiations
The Cyprus issue stems from the island's division since 1974, when Turkey invaded in response to a coup aimed at uniting Cyprus with Greece. The island remains divided between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus (predominantly Greek Cypriot) in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the north, which is only recognized by Turkey.
The Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, but the acquis communautaire, the body of EU law, remains suspended in the north due to the ongoing division. The EU has played a significant role in attempting to facilitate negotiations between the two communities to find a solution to reunify the island. However, despite numerous rounds of talks and the involvement of the United Nations, these efforts have yet to yield a lasting resolution.
Comparing Negotiations: Similarities and Differences
A notable similarity between the Brexit negotiations and Cyprus negotiations is the EU's role as a mediator. In both cases, the EU has sought to strike a balance between the interests of the parties involved while upholding its values and legal framework. In the case of Brexit, this meant ensuring that the peace in Northern Ireland was maintained, while with Cyprus, the goal is to reunify the island under a federal system that respects the rights of both communities.
A key difference in the negotiations, however, lies in the power dynamics at play. In the Brexit negotiations, the EU and the UK were both powerful actors with significant leverage, which resulted in a more balanced negotiation process. Conversely, in the Cyprus negotiations, the Republic of Cyprus is an EU member with the backing of the EU, while the TRNC is only recognized by Turkey and lacks the same level of international support. This uneven power balance has made it more challenging to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
Implications for the EU
Both Brexit and the Cyprus dispute have implications for the EU as they highlight the complexities of managing diverse interests and upholding the Union's values. They also demonstrate the challenges the EU faces in maintaining internal cohesion, as well as its ability to exert influence on external actors.
Brexit has tested the EU's ability to maintain unity among its members during a time of unprecedented change. The departure of a major member state has raised questions about the future of European integration, with some fearing that other countries might follow suit. In response, the EU has worked to showcase the benefits of membership and demonstrate its commitment to its core values.
The Cyprus dispute, on the other hand, highlights the challenges the EU faces in its efforts to promote peace and stability in its neighborhood. The ongoing division of the island presents a dilemma for the EU, as it seeks to support the reunification process while also upholding the rights of its member state, the Republic of Cyprus. The EU's role in the negotiations has been further complicated by Turkey's involvement in the TRNC, as relations between the EU and Turkey have become increasingly strained in recent years.
In both cases, the EU has had to navigate complex political landscapes and balance competing interests. These experiences have underscored the importance of diplomacy, flexibility, and a commitment to the principles that underpin the Union.
Brexit and the Cyprus dispute, while distinct geopolitical events, share some similarities in their interactions with the EU. In both cases, the EU has played a mediating role, balancing the interests of various parties while upholding its legal framework and values. The power dynamics in each negotiation differ, with Brexit involving two powerful actors in a more balanced negotiation process, while the Cyprus negotiations face an uneven power balance that complicates reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.
The EU's involvement in these events highlights the challenges it faces in managing diverse interests, maintaining internal cohesion, and exerting influence on external actors. As the EU continues to navigate an ever-changing global landscape, its experiences with Brexit and the Cyprus dispute serve as important lessons for promoting unity, protecting its values, and fostering peace and stability both within and beyond its borders.