Abstract

This research paper examines the Cyprus issue as an ethno-territorial conflict between Turkey and Greece, viewed in the context of the European Union’s policies. The author applies an analytical approach based on key theories of ethnic conflicts, such as primordialism, instrumentalism and constructivism, to explain the dynamics of relations between Greeks and Turks in Cyprus. Within the framework of these theories, the mechanisms of ethnic identity formation and its role in the escalation of the conflict, as well as the influence of foreign policy factors on the development of the crisis are examined.
Particular attention is paid to the historical context of the conflict, including the key ideas of enosis, as a desire for unification with Greece, and taksim, as a concept of the division of the island. These ideas are central to understanding the causes and dynamics of the Cyprus crisis, determining not only the internal policies of Cyprus, but also external intervention, including that of the EU.
The author also analyzes the role of the European Union and the UN as mediators in the conflict, emphasizing their strategic position in the process of Cyprus’s integration and their influence on the balance of power in the region. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of contemporary problems related to the possible accession of Cyprus to NATO, which may become a new factor of tension in relations between Turkey and Greece. The interaction of these foreign and domestic policy factors requires a comprehensive approach to understanding the mechanisms of conflict resolution. The work offers a systematic approach to the analysis of the Cyprus conflict through the prism of ethnopolitical theories and international politics, emphasizing the importance of the integration of Cyprus into international structures and the influence of external actors on the solution of the problem.