EU Foreign policy on Cyprus : exploring the mediation potential

Official URL: http://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b1063526 (Table of Contents)

This thesis is both an exploratory and descriptive case study on the European Union's foreign policy involvement in the Cyprus conflict. A descriptive critique is conducted starting from the 90's until present on the EU's foreign policy involvement in Cyprus, articulated with terminology from negotiation and international mediation literature. In addition to the critique new policies and roles are offered for a more effective and flexible foreign policy in Cyprus from international mediation literature. This study reveals a discrepancy between the principles of the EU such as bringing peace, prosperity and security put forth as the promises of the enlargement project and EU policies resulting from the ineffective unanimity principle in the decision making system. This thesis argues that the use of international mediation tools enhances the effectiveness of the EU foreign policy not only in the case of Cyprus but also in other protracted ethnic conflicts, as an effective global political entity.