A critique on contemporary Turkish foreign policy towards Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

The discovery of natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean has the potential to spur an energy boom in the region, which could act as a catalyst in uniting the divided island of Cyprus; but, this phenomenon has further created tension between two states in the region, the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, the illegal occupiers of northern Cyprus. This may have contributed to the recent stalled peace negotiations in 2017, in which Turkey was adamant on retaining its nearing five-decade presence on the island. The objective of this thesis is to argue that Turkey, and its contemporary foreign policy towards the Republic of Cyprus, has a hostile nature and poses as a threat to regional stability. First, this thesis will discuss the internal disorder in Turkey, which has repercussions on the course of its foreign policy. Secondly, this thesis will examine Turkey’s means of conduct on two contemporary issues, which have been at the centre of its foreign policy towards Cyprus: the discovery of natural gas off the coast of Cyprus and the failure in UN-sponsored negotiations between 2015 and 2017. Finally, an interpretation of Turkey’s foreign policy will be offered, with certain questions being looked at in greater detail: how is Turkey initiating conflict in the region? are peaceful means simply not an option for President Erdogan? are there underlying motives in Turkey’s behaviour? Through qualitative research and the use of numerous secondary sources, the contribution of this project is that the traditional relations between political states in the region have shifted from ‘zero-sum’ to ‘win-win’. Therefore, Turkey’s overly aggressive behaviour towards the Republic of Cyprus may isolate it in a region that continues to see the formation of positive relations.