The 1974 Turkish Invasion and its Consequences

On 20 July 1974, Turkey invaded the island, using the coup against the democratically elected president of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios as a pretext. In a two-phase invasion in July and August, and despite calls by the UN Security Council [Resolution 353 (1974)] and the quick restoration of constitutional order on the island, Turkey occupied 36,2 percent of the sovereign territory of the Republic and forcibly expelled about 180.000 Greek Cypriots from their homes. Another 20.000 Greek Cypriots, who remained in the occupied areas, were also forced to eventually abandon their homes and seek refuge in the safety of the government controlled areas. Today, fewer than 500 enclaved Greek Cypriots remain in the occupied areas.

Turkey still deprives the displaced Greek Cypriots of their right to return to their homes and properties. This has given rise to appeals to the European Court of Human Rights, which has issued major decisions on Turkey’s violations of the European Convention.

In addition to the economic devastation caused by the invasion and the forcible population movement, over 3.000 persons were killed, while some 1.400 Greek Cypriots remain missing.

Turkey’s occupation brought economic ruin to the part of the island which prior to 1974 was the richest and most developed. Poor economic conditions resulting from Turkey’s mismanagement and Turkey’s systematic colonization of the occupied areas by illegal settlers forced Turkish Cypriots to emigrate to Europe and elsewhere. The settlers currently outnumber the indigenous Turkish Cypriots by about two to one. Independent observers have documented this issue for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in 1992 and again in 2003. Finally, there are still over 43.000 heavily armed troops from Turkey in the occupied areas. It should be noted that beginning with Security Council Resolution 353 of 20 July 1974, the UN has called for “an immediate end to foreign military intervention in the Republic of Cyprus,” and for “the withdrawal without delay from the Republic of Cyprus of foreign military personnel present otherwise than under the authority of international agreements.”

In violation of international law and UN resolutions, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot regime have systematically attempted to eradicate the Greek cultural heritage in the occupied areas. Towns and villages have been given Turkish names, while archaeological sites, churches and cemeteries have been plundered, damaged or converted to other uses. In November 1983, Turkey instigated and endorsed a “unilateral declaration of independence” in the occupied area by the Turkish Cypriot leadership. The so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”) has not been recognized by anyone other than Turkey, which exercises virtual control over it. UN Security Council Resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984) categorically condemned this unilateral action, declared it invalid, called for its withdrawal, and called on all UN member-states not to recognize this illegal entity. The EU and other international and regional organizations have adopted similar positions. For all legal and political purposes, the international community recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus created in 1960 and its government, even though the government cannot currently exercise its authority in areas under military occupation by Turkey.

Seeking a negotiated solution

Successive rounds of UN-sponsored talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities since 1974 to resolve the Cyprus problem and reunite the country have been so far fruitless largely due to Turkey's intransigent positions.

The government of Cyprus remains committed to the Secretary-General's mission of good offices and to a sustained process that will facilitate a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in accordance with European law.

Despite the persistence of the de facto division of the island with disastrous consequences for the whole of the population whatever their ethnic origin, Cyprus is standing firm, is a modern, democratic and forward looking society being proactive and creative as a member of the EU, moving ahead for the benefit of all Cypriots themselves and of the European family as a whole.

Useful Links

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2006.nsf/cyprus01_en/cyprus01_en?OpenDocument