Ten years after the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU, the Republic’s Foreign Ministers talked to CNA and assessed Cyprus’ participation in the European family.

In their statements to CNA, all Ministers recognized the benefits of Cyprus’ accession to the EU, most importantly the fact that the Republic’s image abroad has been upgraded through its participation in the EU, especially after the successful first Cyprus EU Presidency in the second half of 2012.

In addition, they noted the fact that a small state like the island of Cyprus was given the right to participate in the shaping of European policies, while Cyprus’ international identity and territorial integrity were further strengthened.

The Cypriot Ministers pointed out that the EU has worked as a safety net for Cyprus and its people against any new or old foreign threats.

They all referred to the benefits for the Cypriot citizens, such as free movement, the right to employment in other Member States, as well as the numerous benefits for Cypriot students.

In the economic sector, they stated that Cyprus’ participation in the Eurozone has helped the local economy and the Republic has benefited from various EU funds.

However, they also said that the EU should have done much more towards the efforts to solve the Cyprus issue and expressed the view that Cyprus was not treated in a fair manner during the economic crisis.

Asked whether during the ten years of Cyprus` EU membership, Europe has done what it should for Cyprus, current Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, who also served at this post between 1997-2003, told CNA that both as regards the Cyprus issue as well as the current economic crisis, the EU could have done more.

He pointed out that due to its limited systemic importance, Cyprus was treated with much strictness, in spite of the accumulated financial problems that Cyprus should had managed in their infancy.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, the EU could have had a more active role, a role which this government is trying to achieve, he said.

“On the other hand, being eurosceptic is not the answer to the above concerns. The government always operates in the EU context exploiting all opportunities”, Kasoulides told CNA.

He added that in particular, as regards the economic crisis, the government is determined to implement the economic adjustment programme, as described in the MOU signed with the Troika, since this is the only way to exit the current economic crisis.

Former Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Markoullis (served between 2011-2013 and 2007-2008) told CNA that the EU should have done more to solve the economic problems of its member states and should have implemented measures, taking into account the citizens and the social cohesion of the affected state.

She added that the EU has experimented with Cyprus (with its decision to impose a haircut on bank deposits) and treated this member state differently compared to its approach towards other EU countries faced with an economic crisis.

This shows, she said, that Cyprus’ small size and its inability to react have left the country vulnerable to those decisions which had an impact on the ordinary citizens.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, she said that the EU could have done much more to change Turkey’s intransigent stance.

Instead, Markoullis said, the EU exerts pressure on Cyprus to change its policy as regards the EU – Turkey negotiating chapters, which were blocked unilaterally by Cyprus due to the continuing Turkish occupation of 37% of Cyprus` territory (since 1974) and due to Turkey’s refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus.

Markos Kyprianou, who served as Foreign Minister between 2008-2011 and was Cyprus’ first EU Commissioner, said that there is always room for more action by the EU but also from Cyprus’ part. “We can achieve and gain much more”, he said, adding that the EU must implement the solidarity principle in a more just manner.

“The reality is that each EU member state, and especially bigger states, maintain and promote their own interests. They certainly do not always act as we would have expected but this does not apply only to Cyprus. The challenge is to form alliances of interests with other EU members”, Kyprianou said.

As regards the Cyprus issue, he said that Cyprus’ EU membership can prevent the imposition of any bad or dangerous solution plans.

George Lillikas, who was Foreign Minister between 2006-2007, told CNA that the EU, instead of demonstrating community solidarity towards its member state, Cyprus, and instead of remaining loyal to its principles and the EU acquis communautaire, it has demonstrated tolerance towards Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus issue.

“The EU tolerates an EU candidate country, Turkey, which maintains military occupation forces on European soil (37% of Cyprus’ territory is occupied by Turkish troops since 1974)”, Lillikas told CNA.

Referring to last year’s Eurogroup decision on Cyprus, Lillikas said that this decision destroyed Cyprus’ economic development model and led to the malfunction of the whole Cypriot banking system, while blocking Cyprus’ growth prospects.

Between 2003-2006 and 1983-1993 George Iacovou served as Foreign Minister. Speaking to CNA, he said that the objections of the European countries against Cyprus’ accession to the EU, prior to 2004, were of political nature and had to do with the unresolved Cyprus issue.

He believes that the EU has demonstrated “not a positive stance, to the process to solve the Cyprus issue”.

In addition, he said that “the behavior of our EU partners from 2011 onwards is not based on a fundamental European principle, the principle of solidarity”.

In addition, he recalled that in 2004, Cyprus had a “successful economy” and after its accession it was a net contributor to the EU funds.

Nicos Rolandis served as Foreign Minister between 1978-1983. Speaking to CNA, he expressed the view that the EU did not do what it could and should in relation to Cyprus’ occupation by Turkish troops.

This attitude, he went on to say, can be explained based on the EU’s interests and Turkey’s importance for Europe.

As regards the economy, he said that the EU was very tough on Cyprus during the economic crisis.

But he pointed out that “in both cases our own fault contributed in the worsening of the problems we faced”.

Andreas Mavroyiannis served as Cyprus’ Deputy Minister to the President for European Affairs during the first Cyprus EU Presidency in 2012. In his statements to the Cyprus News Agency, he noted that Cyprus has benefited greatly from its EU membership, but its economy has “paid a high price” and “became the subject of improvisation and a victim of the continuous failure of the EU to address the challenges”.

The benefits of Cyprus’ participation in the EU, he noted, “coexist with feelings of bitterness and a perception of a lack of sufficient understanding and solidarity”.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, he said that the membership works as a catalyst to end the Turkish occupation and division of Cyprus.

“The dividing line, despite the frustration that has shaken our faith and hope, will not be able to resist any longer the process of European integration”, he concluded.

The Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in May 2004. Cyprus has been divided since the summer of 1974 when Turkish military troops invaded the northern areas of the island and since then occupy 37% of the Republic`s territory. Cyprus entered as a whole island the EU but the EU acquis communautaire is suspended in the occupied areas.