Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia join the European Union, celebrated at the residence of the Irish President in Dublin.

Nestled in the sun-drenched eastern Mediterranean Sea, just south of the Anatolian Peninsula, lies the enchanting island nation of Cyprus. Officially known as the Republic of Cyprus, this island holds the distinction of being the third-largest and third-most populous island in the entire Mediterranean. Its strategic geographical position places it south of Turkey, west of Syria, northwest of Lebanon, Israel, and the Gaza Strip (Palestine), north of Egypt, and southeast of Greece, making it a historical crossroads of cultures and civilizations. The vibrant capital and largest urban hub is Nicosia, a city split between the island's two main parts, while Limassol, with its bustling port and dynamic economy, proudly stands as the second largest.

The human story on Cyprus stretches back into the mists of time, with the earliest known activity dating to approximately the 10th millennium BC. Archaeological treasures from this remote era include the remarkably preserved Neolithic village of Khirokitia, a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a window into ancient life. Furthermore, Cyprus is home to some of the world's most ancient water wells, underscoring its long struggle with and mastery of vital resources. The island's rich tapestry of inhabitants saw the arrival of Mycenaean Greeks in two distinct waves during the 2nd millennium BC, imprinting a Hellenic cultural legacy that remains profound to this day.

Given its pivotal location in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus was destined to attract the attention of numerous powerful empires. It subsequently fell under the sway of the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Persians, each leaving their indelible mark on the island's culture and administration. This succession of empires came to an end in 333 BC when Alexander the Great seized control. Following his death, Cyprus became part of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, before passing into the vast embrace of the Classical and later the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. Brief periods of rule by Arab caliphates punctuated this era, only to be followed by the French Lusignan dynasty and then the Venetian Republic. The island's strategic importance continued to be recognized, leading to over three centuries of Ottoman rule, spanning from 1571 to 1878, though their de jure sovereignty extended until 1914.

In 1878, based on the Cyprus Convention, the United Kingdom assumed administration of the island, formally annexing it in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I. This transition set the stage for a complex political future, creating a significant point of contention between the island's two prominent ethnic communities: the Greek Cypriots, who constituted about 77% of the population in 1960, and the Turkish Cypriots, who made up approximately 18% at that time. From the 19th century onwards, the Greek Cypriot community largely harbored aspirations for 'enosis,' or union with Greece, a sentiment that evolved into official Greek national policy by the 1950s. Conversely, the Turkish Cypriot population initially favored the continuation of British rule. Later, they advocated for the island's annexation to Turkey, eventually formulating a policy of 'taksim,' or the partition of Cyprus and the creation of a Turkish polity in the north, a stance they pursued alongside Turkey during the 1950s.

Amidst escalating nationalist violence throughout the 1950s, Cyprus finally achieved independence in 1960, a hard-won compromise aimed at reconciling the differing aspirations. However, this peace proved fragile. The crisis of 1963–64 saw renewed intercommunal violence, resulting in the displacement of over 25,000 Turkish Cypriots into fortified enclaves and effectively ending their representation in the Republic's government. A pivotal and tragic turn of events occurred on 15 July 1974, when Greek Cypriot nationalists, supported by elements of the Greek military junta, staged a coup d'état with the express aim of achieving enosis. This audacious move precipitated the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on 20 July, a military intervention that led to the capture of the territory now known as Northern Cyprus. The invasion caused massive displacement, uprooting over 150,000 Greek Cypriots from the north and 50,000 Turkish Cypriots from the south. Subsequently, in 1983, a separate Turkish Cypriot state was established in the north through a unilateral declaration. This action, widely condemned by the international community, is recognized only by Turkey, and these events, along with the resulting political stalemate, remain a continuing and deeply contested dispute.

Today, the Republic of Cyprus formally holds de jure sovereignty over the entire island, including its surrounding territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. The only exceptions are the strategically important Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which remain under the United Kingdom's control as agreed upon in the London and Zürich Agreements. However, in practice, the Republic of Cyprus is de facto partitioned into two main parts. The southern and western regions, comprising approximately 59% of the island's area, are under the effective control of the internationally recognized Republic. The northern part, covering about 36% of the island, is administered by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. A United Nations buffer zone, often referred to as the "Green Line," accounts for nearly 4% of the island's area, separating the two entities. The international community, including the European Union, considers the northern part of the island to be territory of the Republic of Cyprus under illegal occupation by Turkish forces, a situation deemed contrary to international law and, since Cyprus's EU membership, an illegal occupation of EU territory.

Beyond its complex political landscape, Cyprus shines as a major tourist destination in the Mediterranean, renowned for its beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and warm hospitality. It boasts an advanced, high-income economy and consistently achieves a very high Human Development Index, reflecting a strong quality of life for its citizens. The Republic of Cyprus has been a proud member of the Commonwealth since 1961 and was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement until its historic accession to the European Union on 1 May 2004. Further solidifying its integration into Europe's economic fabric, the Republic of Cyprus joined the eurozone on 1 January 2008, adopting the common European currency.

The European Union: A Unique Economic and Political Bloc

The European Union (EU) stands as a remarkable and often described 'sui generis' (unique) political and economic union, comprising 27 member states predominantly located across the European continent. With a vast total area of over 4.2 million square kilometers and an estimated population of approximately 447 million people, it represents a significant global entity. At its core, the EU has forged an internal single market through a meticulously standardized system of laws. These laws apply across all member states, but only in specific areas where the sovereign nations have collectively agreed to act as one. The overarching policies of the EU are designed to guarantee the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within this expansive internal market. Furthermore, the Union actively enacts legislation in crucial areas such as justice and home affairs, and it maintains common policies on vital sectors like trade, agriculture, fisheries, and regional development, fostering coherence and shared prosperity.

Key to the practical experience of EU citizenship is the Schengen Area, a zone encompassing most EU member states (and some non-EU countries) where passport controls and other border checks have been largely abolished for travel between participating nations, significantly easing movement for citizens and visitors alike. Complementing this, the eurozone represents a distinct monetary union established in 1999, fully coming into force in 2002. It comprises the 19 EU member states that have adopted the euro as their common currency, creating one of the world's largest currency blocs. The EU's unique structure, blending elements of both a federation and a confederation, defies easy categorization, making it a compelling case study in international integration.

The foundations of the European Union, and indeed the concept of EU citizenship, were formally laid when the Maastricht Treaty came into force in 1993. However, its historical roots run deeper, tracing back to the post-World War II era with the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951 by the Treaty of Paris, and the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome. These pioneering communities initially consisted of the "Inner Six" founding members: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. Since then, the communities and their successors have undergone substantial growth, expanding both in geographical size through the accession of 21 new member states and in influence by continually adding new policy areas to their collective remit. The most recent significant amendment to the EU's constitutional framework, the Treaty of Lisbon, entered into force in 2009, further streamlining its governance. While the EU has largely been a story of expansion, the United Kingdom's departure in 2020 marked a historic moment, making it the only member state to have left the Union. Prior to this, four territories of current member states had withdrawn from the EU or its forerunners. Several other countries are currently engaged in negotiations to join this influential bloc, signaling its continued allure.

With approximately 5.8 percent of the world's population in 2020, the EU represents a formidable economic force. In 2021, it generated a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of around US$17.1 trillion, accounting for approximately 18 percent of global nominal GDP. This economic strength is mirrored in its human development, as all EU countries consistently achieve a very high Human Development Index, as reported by the United Nations Development Programme, reflecting advanced living standards and social welfare. The EU's commitment to peace and international cooperation was recognized with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. Through its Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Union has progressively developed a robust role in external relations and defense, projecting its values and interests globally. It maintains permanent diplomatic missions throughout the world and represents itself on the international stage at key forums such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the G7, and the G20. Given its extensive global influence across various domains, the European Union is frequently described by many scholars as an emerging superpower, shaping the contours of 21st-century international relations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cyprus and the European Union

What is the official name of Cyprus and where is it located?
Cyprus is officially known as the Republic of Cyprus. It is an island country situated in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of the Anatolian Peninsula, making it a strategic bridge between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
What are the key historical periods that shaped Cyprus?
Cyprus boasts a history stretching back to the 10th millennium BC with early human settlements. It was settled by Mycenaean Greeks and later ruled by a succession of major powers including the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Alexander the Great, Ptolemaic Egypt, the Roman and Byzantine Empires, Arab caliphates, the Lusignan dynasty, the Venetians, and finally the Ottoman Empire for over three centuries, before coming under British administration.
Why is Cyprus politically divided today?
The island's division stems from long-standing intercommunal tensions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. After gaining independence in 1960, a Greek Cypriot coup d'état in 1974, aimed at unification with Greece (enosis), precipitated a Turkish invasion. This led to the de facto partition of the island, with the northern part administered by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Turkey.
Does the international community recognize Northern Cyprus?
No, the international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, considers the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to be territory of the Republic of Cyprus under illegal occupation by Turkish forces. Only Turkey recognizes the TRNC as a separate state.
When did Cyprus join the European Union?
The Republic of Cyprus became a full member of the European Union on 1 May 2004, and subsequently joined the eurozone, adopting the euro currency, on 1 January 2008.
What is the primary purpose of the European Union?
The EU's primary purpose is to promote peace, its values, and the well-being of its peoples. It achieves this by establishing an internal single market with free movement of people, goods, services, and capital, enacting common policies on various sectors, and fostering closer political and economic integration among its member states.
How many countries are in the European Union and which currency do they use?
The European Union currently consists of 27 member states. While all EU member states are part of the broader political and economic union, only 19 of them have adopted the euro (€) as their common currency, forming the eurozone. Other EU countries retain their national currencies.
What were the origins of the European Union?
The EU traces its origins to the post-World War II desire for peace and economic cooperation, starting with the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951, followed by the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957. These communities gradually expanded and evolved into the European Union with the Maastricht Treaty in 1993.
Has any country ever left the European Union?
Yes, the United Kingdom officially left the European Union on 31 January 2020, becoming the first and, to date, only member state to do so. Prior to this, a few territories of member states had also withdrawn from the EU or its forerunners.