24.09.2025 (Caucasian Journal). Cyprus managed to join the EU in 2004 despite the unresolved division of the island. What were the key factors that made this possible, and what lessons might Georgia draw?
Our today's guest is Professor Andreas THEOPHANOUS, President of the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs and former Head of the Department of Politics and Governance at the University of Nicosia. He is one of the country's leading experts on Cyprus’s EU accession, the unresolved division of the island, relations with Turkey, and the challenges of governance in a multiethnic society. Given Georgia’s current EU candidate status and its own territorial disputes, Professor Theophanous’ insights into Cyprus’s unique path into the EU are directly relevant for understanding both the opportunities and constraints facing countries in similar circumstances.
▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.
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Andreas THEOPHANOUS: “IT'S IMPORTANT TO UTILIZE THE EU - IT'S AN ART, IT'S A KNOWLEDGE TO DO IT”
Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal: Hello, and welcome to Caucasian Journal video interviews. Our today's special guest is Professor Andreas Theophanous. He's the president of the Cyprus Centre of European and International Affairs at the University of Nicosia. Welcome to Caucasian Journal, we're delighted to see you.
Andreas THEOPHANOUS: Thank you very much.
AK: My first question is about the Cyprus path to the European Union. In 2004, Cyprus successfully became a member of the EU, despite the unresolved division of the island. What were the key political and diplomatic factors that made this possible, and what lessons might Georgia draw from this experience?
AT: I would say that each case is unique and different. In the case of Cyprus, you had a strong cooperation between the governments of Cyprus and Greece at the time. And Cyprus became a member in 2004, together with nine other countries. It was not a separate application. Various external forces thought that it would be wise if Cyprus became a member as well.
It was not that Greece would have vetoed the whole thing, but there were expectations that the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union would contribute to the implementation and satisfaction of other objectives as well. Now, the European Union today is different from 2004.
I understand that Georgia would like to see the accession process continue. This comes at a very difficult period in the international arena, with the European Union having its own problems, with a war taking place between Russia and Ukraine, and attempts to deal with that. So it is different and difficult.
I would also say that if the decision is made for the European Union to proceed with further enlargement of other countries as well, in which case there would be several countries becoming members simultaneously, that is a different issue.
I would also suggest that while accession remains an objective for Georgia, it is important for the country to advance its relation with the European Union to the highest possible level in the meantime. But at the same time, what I would suggest is not to have high expectations. You have to understand the realities, both of the region, the neighborhood, as well as the European Union. It requires a very balanced approach.
.AK: My next question is the EU and the unresolved conflict. How has the European Union treated Cyprus as a member state with its divided territory? In practice, how does EU membership help to address the Cyprus problem? Could similar dynamics apply to Georgia with its unresolved conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
AT: Cyprus had higher expectations from the European Union. The northern part of Cyprus is occupied by Turkey. Yet, Turkey has all kinds of relations with the European Union without any obstacles.
We had higher expectations that were not fulfilled. But on the other hand, being a member of the Union is much better than being outside.
On many occasions, Turkey imposes its will. For example, while the European Union has recently appointed a special representative on the Cyprus question, Turkey is not happy to see that special representative in negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations. So, it's like the glass being half empty and half full.
We had higher expectations that were not fulfilled. But on the other hand, being a member of the Union is much better than being outside. I want to be very clear about it.
And now in relation to your case, I think it's even more difficult in the sense that Turkey is perceived to be a power that cooperates with the European Union. Sometimes, many would perceive it as a strategic partner. But in the case of Georgia, with its problems there, you have the antagonism between the European Union and Russia, which makes it much worse. And in our case, we're always being asked to negotiate, like the Turkish Cypriot community. Turkey would not negotiate with us directly.
In the Georgian case, I do not see any other way other than the role of diplomacy. And usually, in order to get results, in addition to engaging on the issues per se, there must be broader interests that could be served by a particular deal or agreement.
AK: You have partly answered my next question, which is about relations with Turkey. To what extent has EU membership strengthened Cyprus’s position in managing this relationship? Do you see any parallels for Georgia’s relations with its powerful neighbor, Russia?
AT: Again, I would repeat that each case is different. Cyprus is a member of the EU; Georgia is not. In the case of Cyprus, we had higher expectations that were not met. For example, when Russia invaded Ukraine, you had all kinds of sanctions on Russia. In the case of Turkey, there are no sanctions. On the contrary, there are many financial protocols and all that. So it has not been easy in our case either.
You need sophistication when trying to convince partners. And in order to move forward with the Cyprus problem, you need a positive stance by Turkey. If Turkey were to get something from the Union, it may consider making a particular move.
After 1974, there were many ideas and plans for solving the Cyprus problem. But in the perception of most Cypriots, most of those ideas did not improve the status quo on the ground for Cyprus. That's why they were not accepted.
So it is a difficult issue which requires sophistication and diplomacy. Again, because you try to draw parallels, I would say that each case has its own characteristics. And I don't think that the European Union can resolve the Georgian issues. They may require also negotiations with Russia - it cannot be otherwise.
We would be happy to negotiate with Turkey, by the way, directly. But Turkey refuses to do that because it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus.
AK: So, do you see joining the EU as an advantage in any case?
AT: Yes, absolutely. It's better to be in, rather than outside. Until Georgia becomes a member of the Union, it's better to enhance those relations. Yes.
AK: And how do you see the current situation in Cyprus vis-à-vis Turkey? Do you see any progress in the perspective, or is it more or less frozen?
AT: Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey's objective is to have the entire island under its strategic control. There are many occasions in which Turkey engages in hybrid warfare against us. And it's a difficult case. Our problem is not well known in many countries of the European Union, for various reasons.
Being a member does not cover you 100% because the European Union does not have a full-fledged common foreign security policy.
In the next few days, I will present my new book on Cyprus What Really Happened in Cyprus, from 1960 to today, and the way forward. And it's a book in English. It talks about the history and the politics of Cyprus, as well as the role of foreign powers. And I'm talking about the guarantor powers of Greece, Turkey, Britain, the Security Council, the permanent Security Council members - the United States, the Soviet Union / Russian Federation, China, France, England. And then we also see the role of the European Union, the United Nations, and so on.
For our today's meeting, in my thinking and suggestions for policies, I'm saying the following.
Start from the very basic. Make sure that the situation does not become worse. That's number one, a minimum objective. And maximum objective is to try to come with a plan which improves the status quo. It's very important to keep this in mind - the Realpolitik, and to have a minimum and a maximum objectives.
And the other thing both Cyprus and Georgia cannot forget is geography. It's a factor in international politics, and we cannot change our geography.
AK: Cyprus, like Georgia, has its own challenges in managing national minorities. How has EU membership influenced the Cyprus policies towards minority rights? And do you see this as a supportive or a constraining factor in conflict resolution?
AT: That's a very complex question. But again, each country has its own case. Since 1974, the vast majority of Turkish Cypriots live in the occupied sector. Cyprus does not exercise control. Nevertheless, Turkish Cypriots are treated very well by the Republic of Cyprus in the sense that they are given identity cards. So they can travel freely in Europe. And the other issue is that Cyprus has attracted many people from various countries - Cyprus for many years has been the country with the highest per capita applications for asylum, from people from third-world countries that come here.
Of course, EU legislation has affected the way of doing things. And Cyprus is a unique case where almost 40 percent is occupied. At the same time, being in the geography where it is, you have many economic and political immigrants.
On the other hand, Cyprus is too small. It cannot solve the problems of the region - there is a limit to what it can take.
The European legal framework has affected issues very much - no doubt about it. In this regard, we want to have more support from the EU in dealing with these issues.
AK: Speaking from your experience as a seasoned political scientist, as an expert, which lessons are more relevant to our region, in your view?
AT: I think it's very important to understand the rules of the game. Before we became a member of the European Union in Cyprus, there were very high expectations that the Union would solve all the problems. That was not true.
It's important to utilize the European Union. You, it's an art, it's a knowledge to do it.
We felt that we did not have the solidarity we should have had in relation to Turkey. Also, when we had the economic crisis, we were not treated very well. The memorandum given to us was extremely harsh.
On the other hand, it's important to utilize the European Union. You, it's an art, it's a knowledge to do it. And we should improve in that direction. We must become more sophisticated. Okay?
AK: Excellent.
AT: Thank you, and we should talk again.
AK: Thank you very much for your very insightful answers. And congratulations on your new book. I hope we shall see you again.
AT: Yes, I look forward. I will follow up.
▶ ქართულად: Read or watch the Georgian version here.
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