Cyprus · 20th anniversary of Cyprus’s accession to the European Union

Cyprus’s accession to the EU was part of the enlargement round of 1 May 2004, in which ten states were admitted, primarily from Central and Eastern Europe. The Republic of Cyprus had already submitted an application for accession in 1990; negotiations began in 1998. The Treaty of Accession was signed in Athens in 2003. Since 2008, Cyprus has also been part of the euro area.

One special feature was and remains the division of the island. Following conflicts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots and the events of 1974, the north has remained outside the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus. The Türkische Republik Nordzypern proclaimed there is internationally recognised only by Turkey. Immediately before accession to the EU, separate referendums were held on a United Nations-supported reunification plan. While a majority of Turkish Cypriots approved it, a majority of Greek Cypriots rejected the plan. Cyprus therefore joined the Union as an island that remained divided.

Legally, the entire Republic of Cyprus belongs to the EU. However, in the areas where its government does not exercise effective control, the application of EU law is suspended. Special provisions apply to the movement of persons and goods across the United Nations-monitored buffer zone. The Greek and Turkish forms of the country’s name also refer to the two constitutionally recognised communities of the Republic.

The Commission building depicted on the coin is the Berlaymont in Brussels. It serves as the headquarters of the European Commission, which, among other things, drafts legislative proposals, manages the EU budget and monitors the application of Union law. The building was constructed in the 1960s and later extensively renovated.

The round anniversary gave Cyprus an opportunity to reflect on its path from the accession negotiations through admission to the Union to participation in the euro. At the same time, accession is connected with the still unresolved Cyprus question and the role of the EU on an island at the interface between Europe and the eastern Mediterranean.