Cyprus and the EU

Cyprus and the European Union

Historical overview

The Republic of Cyprus, a small island country situated in the Eastern Mediterranean sea, joined the European Union on 1st May 2004. Relationships between Cyprus and the European Union began in 1973 with the Associate Agreement between Cyprus and the European Economic Community (EEC). The purpose of this agreement was to consolidate and expand trade, and the economic relations between Cyprus and the European Community. On 3rd July 1990 Cyprus submitted an application to become a member of the EEC. The application was critically assessed and Cyprus was found to satisfy the criteria of membership and suitable in 1993. This was reaffirmed in 1995. The accession of Cyprus, also, required harmonisation between Cypriot and European law, known as Acquis screening. This process was designed to determine the areas where necessary changes in Cypriot law needed to be made in order to harmonise it with EU legislation. This screening process was concluded in 2000 and implementation of these changes began and were assessed on a regular basis. The first Regular Report to the European Commission was submitted November 1998. Regular Reports and preparation for membership:

• Regular report from the Commission on Cyprus' progress towards accession 1998. 
  COM (98) 0710 final, 17 December 1998.

• Regular report from the Commission on Cyprus' progress towards accession 1999.
  COM (99) 0502 final, 13 October 1999.

• Regular report from the Commission on Cyprus' progress towards accession 2000.
  COM (2000) 0702 final, 8 November 2000.

• Regular report from the Commission on Cyprus' progress towards accession 2001.
  SEC (2001) 1745 final, 13 November 2001.

• Regular report from the Commission on Cyprus' progress towards accession 2002. 
  SEC (2002) 1401 final, 9 October 2002.

• Comprehensive monitoring report on Cyprus' preparation for membership 2003. 
  SEC (2003) 1202 final (COM(2003) 675), 5 November 2003.

For an in-depth overview and details of further negotiations, go to: Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus - A Historical Overview

EU supporting Cypriot economic recovery

Cyprus adopted the Euro on 1st January 2008. Since then the Cypriot economy has been erratic. In 2009 the Cypriot economy went into recession, which was mainly due to the large drop in the shipping and tourism sectors. Economic growth between 2010 and 2012 was weak and insufficient to counteract the 2009 recession. Property values had declined and there was an increase in non-performing loans. This combination of economic downfalls lead to the Cypriot financial crisis in 2012. In an attempt to address this problem the EU provided a number of investments to help boost the economy:

• Cohesion policy and Cyprus (gives summarised details of projects)

  • European Social Fund (ESF) - The purpose of the ESF is to modernise the skills and qualifications of workers. Also, to help disadvantaged groups get the support and training they need for work. This link also provides information on budget, funding and who participates in ESF.

  • European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - the overall objective of the ERDF is to improve the competitiveness of the country's economy within conditions of sustainable development.

• EU wide stress testing in Cyprus - Stress testing is a risk management tool. It is a tool used by the European Banking Authority (EBA) to monitor and assess market developments as well as to identify trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities. Thereby, helping the EBA to ensure the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets and the stability of the financial system in the EU.

Relevant Publications

• Economic Bulletin, Central Bank of Cyprus: Eurosystem - focuses primarily on developments in the Cyprus economy and the euro area

• The economic adjustment programme for Cyprus - Fourth review Spring 2014

• The economic adjustment programme for Cyprus - Third review Winter 2013

• The economic adjustment programme for Cyprus - Second review Autumn 2013

• The economic adjustment programme for Cyprus

• The EU budget in my country - Cyprus

• The European Economic and Social Committee during the Cyprus Presidency

• Study on children’s involvement in judicial proceedings - Contextual overview for the criminal justice phase: Cyprus

• ERAWATCH country reports 2012: Cyprus - The main objective of the ERAWATCH Annual Country Reports is to characterise and assess the performance of national research systems and related policies in a structured manner that is comparable across countries.

Further information:

• Accession of Cyprus to the European Union - description

• Accession Partnership with Cyprus 2002 - COM/2001/652/FINAL, BULLETIN/2001/11/1.5.4

• The Treaty of Accession 2003

• The introduction of the euro in Cyprus and Malta. COM(2008)204 final

• Central Bank of Cyprus - Eurosystem

• European Banking Authority (EBA) recapitalisation exercise - Licensing and Supervision

• The Cyprus Economy - Historical Review, Prospects, Challenges

• Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union

• European contacts in Cyprus