Ethnic conflicts : the example of Cyprus

Résumé du document

Since the 1st of May 2004, Cyprus joined the European Union. This State represents one of the oldest civilizations of Europe and had less economic problems than the others eastern and central countries of the Union. The first aim of this entry was to reduce the division between the two parts of the Island: in the North, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (only recognized by Turkey) and in the Republic of Cyprus, in the south. Yet, today, the conflict is still alive. It is interesting to wonder how and why such a conflict has developed, in Europe.

Extraits

[...] Most of the ethnic conflicts of the world were triggered by the colonization (made without thinking of the ethnos) but also by the decolonization which wasn't well done: not sweet and too quick. Even if Cyprus' ethnic conflict is getting better since the country's accession to the EU, the problem won't be solved until Turkey will not recognised the state of Cyprus. This is a part of the negotiations for the Turkish entry in the EU but for instance, Turkey still violate International law with its military troops on Cyprus territory. [...]

[...] After the beginning of Greece dictatorship, many opponent refugees escape to Cyprus so that Greece tried a takeover. Meanwhile, the situation was getting worst so the Turkish ethnos asked Turkey for military help and protection. Turkey intervened and installed troops in the Northern part by cutting the island with a line. Since then it has occupied the North against UN resolutions and international community positions. At a time when Cyprus joined the European Union, the conflict isn't solved and the two ethnos still hate each others. But we could wonder why this hate is so strong? [...]

[...] This is the beginning of a real ethnic conflict which is not solved today. Indeed, in order to stop the riots, the British administration asked for some Turkish-Cypriots military troops to strengthen the colonial forces. It was in 1960 that Cyprus became an independent Republic from which Greece, Turkey and United-Kingdom were constitutional bondsmen. This step lead Cyprus on the way of autonomy but some clauses of the constitution gave privileges to the Turkish ethnos high proportion of jobs in administration and police department and a veto against parliament decisions for at least 18% of the population) which brought the conflict to the next level. [...]

[...] Ethnic conflicts : the example of Cyprus Since the 1st of May 2004, Cyprus joined the European Union. This State represents one of the oldest civilizations of Europe and had less economic problems than the others eastern and central countries of the Union. The first aim of this entry was to reduce the division between the two parts of the Island: in the North, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (only recognized by Turkey) and in the Republic of Cyprus, in the south. [...]