ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a historical and political review of the accession processes of Cyprus to the Commonwealth and the European Union. Therefore, it analyses the different steps that this small Mediterranean island took in order to become a sovereign state and a successful member of both international organisations. So, besides the historical and geographical interest of this analysis, this study focuses on the difficulties that Cyprus encountered throughout the accession paths towards membership and how these were resolved. In this sense, Cyprus had to deal with specific problems in each of the processes, which were the result of its own political reality. Some of these obstacles were common to both accession processes while others were not, some were overcome and others persist nowadays and still mark the current relations between this state and the organisation. However, these obstacles have been outweighed by Cyprus’s maturity as a society and its significant strategic situation. In this regard, it is important to note that even in recent periods of political turbulence, Cyprus has continued to become prosperous and to develop economically. Finally, these two international experiences of Cyprus can be useful to other territories that face similar challenges and pursue similar goals.
