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The NATO–EU–Turkey trilogy: the impact of the Cyprus conundrum

The Cyprus conundrum presents a major challenge to western security structures and relationships in particular with regard to Turkey’s European Union (EU) accession process and the stalled Berlin plus arrangements between NATO and the EU. This article argues that the Cyprus question is neither the sole reason for blocking the progress, nor is its resolution the panacea for unblocking the interwoven stalemate in the NATO–EU and the EU–Turkey relationships. In this context, this article will first provide a brief synopsis of the history of relations between Turkey and the EU as well as between the EU and NATO; and the gridlocks within these relationships with specific sections on the role of the Cyprus issue. It will then question whether or not the Cyprus issue is the decisive catalyst for blocking progress in the NATO–EU–Turkey triangle, through a thorough study on the relevance of other internal and external forces at play.