Cyprus dispute

Cyprus dispute. The Cyprus dispute is a longstanding issue between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, involving the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the European Union. The dispute has its roots in the Ottoman Empire's rule over Cyprus, which was followed by British colonial rule and the subsequent Cypriot independence movement, led by figures such as Makarios III and Archbishop of Cyprus. The conflict has involved various international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the Council of Europe, with key players like Kofi Annan, Dimitris Christofias, and Mehmet Ali Talat.

Introduction

The Cyprus dispute is a complex issue, with historical, political, and cultural dimensions, involving Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The dispute has been influenced by various events, including the Greek War of Independence, the Turkish War of Independence, and the Cold War, with key figures like Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, and Nikita Khrushchev playing important roles. The Annan Plan, proposed by Kofi Annan, aimed to reunify the island, but it was rejected by the Greek Cypriots in a 2004 referendum, while the Turkish Cypriots accepted it, with support from Turkey and the United States. The dispute has also involved other international actors, such as the European Court of Human Rights, the International Court of Justice, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

History of the Dispute

The Cyprus dispute has its roots in the Ottoman Empire's rule over Cyprus, which began in 1571 and lasted until 1878, when the island was ceded to the United Kingdom. The British colonial rule over Cyprus was marked by the Cypriot independence movement, led by figures such as Makarios III and Archbishop of Cyprus, who were influenced by the Greek independence movement and the Turkish nationalist movement. The Zurich Agreement and the London Agreement of 1959 and 1960 respectively, led to the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, with Makarios III as its first President of Cyprus, and the Treaty of Guarantee, which guaranteed the independence and sovereignty of Cyprus by Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. However, the intercommunal violence between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots in the 1960s and the 1974 coup led to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the subsequent division of the island, with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus being established to maintain peace and stability.

Political Status

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey, while the Republic of Cyprus is recognized by the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the Council of Europe. The European Union has been involved in the dispute, with Cyprus joining the EU in 2004, and the European Court of Justice has ruled on several cases related to the dispute, including the Apostolides v Orams case. The United States has also been involved, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visiting Cyprus in 2010 and meeting with Dimitris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat. The dispute has also involved other international organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Military Occupation

The Turkish military has been occupying the northern part of Cyprus since the 1974 invasion, with the Turkish Armed Forces maintaining a significant presence on the island. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus has been deployed on the island since 1964 to maintain peace and stability, with troops from countries such as Austria, Canada, and United Kingdom. The European Union has also been involved in the military aspect of the dispute, with the European Union Force being deployed in 2004 to support the United Nations peacekeeping efforts. The dispute has also involved other military actors, such as the Greek military and the British Armed Forces.

International Involvement

The United Nations has been involved in the dispute since the 1960s, with the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council passing several resolutions on the issue, including Resolution 186 and Resolution 353. The European Union has also been involved, with the European Commission and the European Parliament playing key roles in the dispute. The United States has been involved, with the US Department of State and the US Congress taking an interest in the dispute, and the Russian Federation has also been involved, with Vladimir Putin meeting with Dimitris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat in 2010. The dispute has also involved other international organizations, such as the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Reunification Efforts

The Annan Plan was a significant attempt to reunify the island, but it was rejected by the Greek Cypriots in a 2004 referendum. Since then, there have been several attempts to restart negotiations, including the 2014 talks and the 2017 talks, led by Mustafa Akıncı and Nicos Anastasiades. The United Nations has been involved in the reunification efforts, with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointing a Special Adviser on Cyprus to support the negotiations. The European Union has also been involved, with the European Commission providing financial and technical support to the reunification efforts, and the United States has been involved, with the US Department of State supporting the negotiations. The dispute has also involved other international actors, such as the International Crisis Group and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Category:Territorial disputes