The Political Conditionality in the Enlargement of the European Union: The Cyprus Case

Abstract

The political conditionality is an effective strategy of the EU enlargement policy, and it aims to provide a democratic bridge between candidate member states and the EU. Besides using the political conditionality, the EU assumes confirmation of democracy by the compliance of member states. Accordingly, the following question may arise ''why the political conditionality is the major strategy for EU?'' which is outlined in Article 6, 1: ''The Union founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, and respect for human rights, fundamental freedom, and legislation, principles which are common to the EU Member States.'' An article aims to explain how enlargement policies of the EU should follow the strategy of political conditionality. This paper will critically evaluate; the consequences of EU enlargement in 2004 and its effectiveness over candidate states. The main focus will be on the application of political conditionality in Cyprus and its correctness. Accordingly, the papers seek to analyze first how the EU's political conditionality was applied through the 2004 enlargement process and then on which grounds of political conditionality couldn't illustrate its effectiveness in the case of Cyprus.