The
Cyprus issue is one of the key territorial disputes that attracts the attention
of the entire world. If we look deep into history, the island of Cyprus used to
be an intersection point of major empires, cultures and religions, so thus one
can say conflict was inevitable and easy to predict. Today historical
generosity of the island puts us before a dilemma of two communities. However,
the Cyprus dilemma is not the responsibility of merely two ethnic communities
of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who inhabit the island. This is a
complicated diplomatic Rubik that requires a great deal of efforts from the
host countries: Britain , Greece , Turkey and UN in particular.
Establishment of
Cyprus Republic (1963)
During the de-colonization era, Cyprus was one of those countries
that followed her path towards independence. Major arrangements that provided
legal bases for newly establishing Republic were discussed and outlined during
Zurich-London Accord and signed by Great Britain , Greece , Turkey as well as
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders. Great Britain officially granted
independence to Cyprus on 16 August 1960 and the Constitution of the Republic
of Cyprus came into force. Unfortunately, the Constitution of the Republic of
Cyprus was not a long lasting one. In 1963 Greek side came up with an amending
proposal according to which all power was transferring to Greek Cypriots
claiming that they consolidate the majority of population. Rejection of
proposal by Turkish side caused hostility and violence between two communities.
In turn, on March 1964, the UN Security Council passed a resolution and
authorized the provision of international peacekeeping forces in Cyprus
(UNFICYP).
11 years of struggle
and attempts for Confidence Building
Although significant attempts were made to restore peace and
Constitutional order in Cyprus after 1964, reluctance and lack of trust between
the two communities led the Intercommunal talks do a deadlock. Failures during
negotiations created irritations from both sides and provided the ground for
EOKA-B criminal campaign under Greek General Grivas during 1971.Military junta
seized power in Athens in November 1973 and backed
EOKA-B campaign in Cyprus . On 15 July 1974 a Coup D'etat in
Nicosia took place which was organized and led by Greek officers of the
National Guard. Its aim was to set up a government that would unite the island
with Greece .
Turkey 's Intervention
(1974)
Turkey responded with an attempt to find a solution through
peaceful and diplomatic means by carrying the issue to London . When Britain
refused to act in concert, Turkey acting under the Treaty of Guarantee
intervened militarily in Cyprus on 20 July 1974 unilaterally. Turkey 's
intervention was aimed to putting an end to a take-over of Cyprus by Greece and
the inevitable destruction of Turkish Cypriot community. Turkey as a Guarantor
of independence and constitutional order of Cyprus Republic was fulfilling her
legal responsibility.
Aftermath of 1974
Intervention
Turkish troops took under their control about 37% of the island.
For practical purposes the island was divided into northern (Turkish) and
southern (Greek) sections. UN troops established a buffer zone along the “Green
Line”. This led to a huge refugee problem: 160 000 from the Greek Cypriots and
65 000 from the Turkish Cypriots. Under UN resolutions political and economic
embargoes were imposed upon Turkish side which meant impoverishment of the
North's economy.
During the Intercommunal Talks the Turkish Cypriot side insisted
on creation of a federation with a bi-zonal and bi-communal character and
political sovereignty concentrated within constituent states and not limited by
a Central Federal government. The Greek Cypriot position was a Federation with
a strong center and major powers located at the federal government; absolute
recognition of the Greek Cypriots' rights to return to their homes;
repatriation of Turkish settlers and withdrawal of Turkish troops.
Inspired by the idea of bi-zonal federation and threat of being
regarded as a mere minority Turkish Cypriots established the Turkish Federated
State in 1975 that was transformed by Turkish Cypriot Legislative Assembly to
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983 using the right for self
determination.
Internationalization
of Issue and the Path toward EU
Greek Cypriot Administration appealed to international community
that Intercommunal Talks were no longer effective and there is a need for
internationalization of the issue. The UN proposed a Foundation Agreement in
“The Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem” also known as “Annan
Plan”. Under the provisions of Agreement the United Cyprus Republic had to be
established as an independent state in the form of an indissoluble partnership,
with a federal government and two equal constituent states, the Greek Cypriot
State and Turkish Cypriot State . Cyprus was to be a member of the United
Nations and have a single international personality and sovereignty. The United
Republic of Cyprus would be organized under its constitution in accordance with
the basic principles of Rule of Law, democracy, representative republican
government, political equality, bi-zonality, and the equal status of the
constituent states.
In 1990 Cyprus applied for a membership to the EU. Due to the
reason that Greek Cypriot Administration represented only one community, it
didn't have the authority to apply on behalf of the whole of Cyprus . On
December 1994 the European Summit in Essen confirmed that the next enlargement
of EU would include Cyprus and Malta . However, entrance to EU of the entire
island required agreement under the Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus
Problem between the two parties. Otherwise, only the South recognized by the
international community could enjoy the membership. On April 24 2004 separate
simultaneous referenda was hold on both sides. It was rejected by the Greek
Cypriot electorate by a margin of three to one, and approved by the Turkish
Cypriot electorate by a margin of two to one. It therefore did not enter into
force and on 1 May 2004 only the South part of the island became a full member
of the EU.
Currently the Turkish Cypriot Administration is working closely
with the international community and taking necessary measures in order to lift
the UN imposed isolations and to help the North achieve the economic
development level required to become a member of the EU.
