Özersay: Greek Cypriot Leader's NATO Membership Hopes Are Unrealistic

Reflecting on past discussions about South Cyprus' potential NATO membership, Özersay reminded that there had been debates within the Greek Cypriot political sphere regarding the possibility of NATO membership or participation in the Partnership for Peace (PFP). He criticized Christodoulides for attempting to secure a NATO agreement with the US ahead of the incoming Trump administration, anticipating that NATO’s expansion would be less likely under Trump’s leadership. Özersay pointed out that, under Trump, the US had been more inclined to establish bilateral defense agreements outside NATO, particularly in Northern Europe, instead of pursuing further NATO enlargement.

Özersay also expressed skepticism about the US granting NATO membership to the Greek Cypriots, as the US had already been able to achieve many objectives through bilateral agreements, including lifting the arms embargo and expelling Russian investments. He questioned why the US would push for NATO membership when it could attain similar outcomes without it.

Regarding the Greek Cypriot leadership’s strategy, Özersay dismissed the idea that the situation mirrored the NATO membership deals with Sweden and Finland. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot leader might believe that some form of diplomatic deal could be made, but expected disappointment, particularly with the Trump administration.

Özersay further reflected on the long-standing Greek Cypriot desire to replace Turkey's guarantees with UN Security Council guarantees, which had proven ineffective. He noted that the Greek Cypriots, unable to achieve results through the Security Council, had turned to NATO membership as a new avenue. However, he asserted that this move would not result in the success Christodoulides hoped for, citing the failed unilateral Greek Cypriot EU membership in 2004 as a precedent for the current challenges facing the region.