Cyprus problem

Quick Facts: Who was Cyprus problem?

Subject:

Cyprus problem

Known for:

An ongoing geopolitical dispute over the island of Cyprus between Greek and Turkish communities.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

There is an ongoing dispute between the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus, particularly in the north where Turkish troops are deployed. It began after the Greek Cypriot community challenged the British administration of the island in 1955, the 1974 Cypriot coup d'état executed by the Cypriot National Guard and sponsored by the Greek military junta, and the ensuing Turkish military invasion of the island, and hence the presence of Turkish soldiers, despite a legal reinstatement of a stable government. The desire of some of the ethnic Turkish people for the partition of the island of Cyprus through Taksim, the desire of some of the ethnic Greek people for the unification with Greece (Enosis), and mainland Turkish nationalists settling in as a show of force as a supposed means of protecting their people from what they considered to be the threat of Greek Cypriots also plays a role in the dispute. Initially, with the Ottoman Empire's cession of the island to the British Empire in 1878 and subsequent annexation in 1914, the "Cyprus dispute" referred to general conflicts between Greek and Turkish islanders. At present, the complications of the dispute go beyond the boundaries of the island itself and involve the guarantor powers under the Zürich and London Agreement (namely Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom), the United Nations, and the European Union.

Career & Major Achievements

The now-defunct Czechoslovakia and Eastern Bloc had previously interfered politically. The problem entered its current phase in the aftermath of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which resulted in the Turks occupying the northern third of the island. Although the invasion was triggered by the 1974 coup d'état, Turkish forces refused to depart after the legitimate government was restored. The Turkish Cypriot leadership later declared independence as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, although only Turkey has recognised it, and there continues to be broad international opposition to Northern Cyprus independence. According to the European Court of Human Rights, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus should be considered a puppet state under effective Turkish occupation, and is legitimately part of Cyprus.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 550 of 1984 calls for members of the United Nations to not recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. As a result of the two communities and the guarantor countries committing themselves to finding a peaceful solution to the dispute, the United Nations maintains a buffer zone (known as the "Green Line") to avoid further intercommunal tensions and hostilities. This zone separates the southern areas of the Republic of Cyprus (predominantly inhabited by Greek Cypriots), from the northern areas (where Turkish Cypriots and Turkish settlers now reside). There was a warming of relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots in the 2010s, with a renewal of talks officially beginning in early 2014. The Crans-Montana negotiations raised hopes for a long-term solution, but they ultimately stalled.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1878: 1878 Milestone — Initially, with the Ottoman Empire's cession of the island to the British Empire in 1878 and subsequent annexation in 1914, the "Cyprus dispute" referred to general conflicts between Greek and Turkish islanders.
2. 1955: 1955 Milestone — It began after the Greek Cypriot community challenged the British administration of the island in 1955, the 1974 Cypriot coup d'état executed by the Cypriot National Guard and sponsored by the Greek military junta, and the ensuing Turkish military invasion of the island, and hence the presence of Turkish soldiers, despite a legal reinstatement of a stable government.
3. 1974: 1974 Milestone — The problem entered its current phase in the aftermath of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which resulted in the Turks occupying the northern third of the island.
4. 1984: 1984 Milestone — The United Nations Security Council Resolution 550 of 1984 calls for members of the United Nations to not recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
5. 2014: 2014 Milestone — There was a warming of relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots in the 2010s, with a renewal of talks officially beginning in early 2014.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Cyprus problem

True or False: “The initial conflict in Cyprus was solely a disagreement between Greek Cypriots and British administrators regarding colonial governance.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The dispute has deep roots involving Ottoman rule, subsequent foreign occupations (British, etc.), and competing nationalistic desires from both Greek and Turkish communities.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cyprus problem