The EU Accession of Cyprus - Key to the Political and Legal Solution of an -Insoluble- Ethnic Conflict?

The papers of the international and interdisciplinary conference in the volume trace the political and legal cleavages of the Cyprus conflict. They provide a comparative background in analyzing other settled and unsettled ethnic, religious and cultural conflicts primarily in Europe, with Belgium, Switzerland, South Tyrol and Canada on the one hand and the Basque Country, Catalonia, Northern Ireland and the former Yugoslavia on the other. Following a survey of international organizations as sponsors of constitutions in states of concern the volume focuses on two issues: firstly, the genesis, key elements and fate of the Annan Plan; secondly, the role of the EU in the Cyprus conflict and the process of EU accession of Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots reasons for rejecting the Annan Plan as well as the obstacles to European measures in support of the Turkish Cypriots are discussed. The conclusions emphasize the opportunities and responsibilities of EU membership and membership aspirations with regard to the settlement of ethnic conflicts. Excerpts of the Annan Plan and the declarations made with regard to the extension of the Ankara Agreement are reprinted in the documentary appendix.