Rethinking Cyprus Conflict and Security: North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Role

Cyprus issue has been on the agenda in the international community. Disputes between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots have gained new dimension with the hydrocarbon resources that was found in the Eastern Mediterranean. This thesis will focus on Cyprus conflict in terms of hydrocarbon resources. Before the solution of the Cyprus issue, Greek Cypriot administration unilaterally has encouraged its hydrocarbon exploration activities in the open waters of Cyprus. However, this situation has affected negotiation process and expectations in terms of security and foreign policy of Cyprus. This thesis aims to analyze the research question, “Whether NATO involvement in Cyprus’ security would create more favorable conditions for a long lasting peaceful settlement?” by testing the hypothesis that “why and how NATO should enhance energy security of the hydrocarbon findings in Cyprus offshores in particular and the Eastern Mediterranean in general to promote stability on the island?” In this context, relations between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots were analyzed. The Warsaw Pact has come to an end and the Soviet Union (USSR) has dissolved but the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is still evolving. This is so because NATO has not only been a military alliance, but also a community of shared principles and values.Two possible scenarios for NATO: the alliance may assume a new role for security as well as energy policies in the Eastern Mediterranean. NATO may not assume a new role in the Eastern Mediterranean because of the Russian involvement in Cyprus. As a result of this thesis; due to the Russia factor in Cyprus the NATO may not assume a new role to ensure the stability and security on island. This research will not only employ the method of the elite interviews but also will make use of other primary sources (treaties, agreements, official reports and speeches). Thereby, this research will contribute to enhance the literature of International Relations studies on Cyprus problem. This research attempts to analyze the research question in five chapters. It reviews the problems inherent in making predictions in the first chapter. In the second chapter, it will summarize the Cyprus offshore hydrocarbons and regional policies between both Turkish and Greek Cypriots and Cyprus hydrocarbons and responses of the international actors. In the third chapter, Turkey’s role in Eastern Mediterranean and its role assumptions will be elaborated. Turkey’s role conception will be analyzed at two levels: Turkey’s Big Brother role; Turkey’s Natural Leader Role. Fourth chapter analyzes NATO’s evolving and expanding role in energy security. This research will analyze NATO’s possible new role in providing energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean. The fifth section will be an overview of the analysis and will be composed of the concluding remarks. Keywords: Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, hydrocarbon, security, stability, cooperation.