Can Europe solve the Cyprus question?

Friday, 12 October 2007

Cyprus, its role in international politics and the question of Turkey's full entry into the European Union will be the focus of a public lecture and book launch at the University of Adelaide on Monday 15 October.

Visiting US-based international politics expert Professor Van Coufoudakis will talk about the importance and the problems facing the European Union in political and strategic assessments of south-eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

"I will be examining the difficult choices confronting all EU members because of Turkey's unwillingness to meet the standards of the accession agreement, and how the EU found itself in the dilemma it faces today," Professor Coufoudakis said.

In 1974 Turkish forces entered Cyprus and occupied one-third of the country. It remains divided.

After the lecture Professor Coufoudakis will launch his latest book Cyprus in International Politics - Essays by Van Coufoudakis.

Professor Coufoudakis is an American of Greek descent. He is Rector Emeritus at University of Nicosia, Cyprus, and Dean Emeritus of the School of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University-Purdue University in the US.

His research focuses on the politics and foreign policies of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, as well as post-World War II US foreign and defence policy. He has been involved in the politics of the Democratic Party in the United States and in lobbying activities on issues affecting the Greek-American community.

The lecture is organised by the Australian Institute of International Affairs (SA Branch) and will be held at 6pm, Monday 15 October 2007 in the Ira Raymond Room, Barr-Smith Library, University of Adelaide.

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