European Union policies towards Cyprus: Change or continuity?

This thesis is prepared to determine the basic parameters of EU policies towards the Cyprus conflict and analyze the impact of EU engagement on the state of Cyprus conflict. The main reason for choosing this subject is to put main dynamics behind EU policies. Substantially, why EU undermined its membership conditionality and in this context why the EU did not put forward ?solution before accession? criteria as a useful pressure tool during Greek Cypriot government?s pre-accession period are examined. In this framework, causes of changes in EU misguided strategy and its effects on ongoing peace negotiations are examined. In conclusion it is maintained that rather than generating incentives for just and fair solution, EU preferred to follow its own strategic interests. Therefore, EU tried to maintain continuity in policies towards Cyprus conflict. Also it is argued that, this type of EU engagement not only exacerbated the conflict but also undermined its ability to manage the conflict and by the way its capacity to be an influential actor in the global scene.Key Words: Cyprus, Conflict, European Union, Geo-Strategic Position,Continuity.