ABSTRACT
– This chapter explores the extent to which certain states’ disputes and political strategies obstruct the enhancement of EU–NATO cooperation and provides insights into how several member states seek to pursue their national preferences, which are in contrast of this organisational relationship. States such as Cyprus, France, Greece and Turkey have been labelled as ‘troublemakers’ in the EU–NATO relationship. The unresolved Cyprus issue and the reciprocal tensions between Cyprus, Greece and Turkey create specific blockages. Similarly, France’s troubled relationship with NATO, its temporary withdrawal from its military command structures and focus on European strategy autonomy are seen as obstacles, which all translate to the interorganisational relations and disallow closer cooperation between the EU and NATO.
