On July 20, 1974, using as a pretext the criminal coup d'état of July 15 against the democratically elected Government of Cyprus, Turkey invaded the Republic of Cyprus, in violation of the UN Charter and all principles governing international relations, to supposedly restore the constitutional order. As a result of the Turkish invasion, 36.2% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus has since been under Turkish occupation, approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots were expelled from their homes, while approximately 1,200 are still missing (May 2014).
Of the 20,000 Greek Cypriots who remained trapped in the occupied territories immediately after the Turkish invasion, today only 445 Greek Cypriots remain, including individuals from the Maronite religious group (May 2014). From the summer of 1974 until today, the "Attila Line" ("Operation Attila" was Turkey's code name for the military invasion of Cyprus) has been artificially dividing the island and its people.
More information on the Cyprus Problem can be retrieved from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and the Aspects of Cyprus page from the Press and Information Office:
http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2016.nsf/mfa08_gr/mfa08_gr?OpenDocument
http://www.aspectsofcyprus.com/en/consequences-invasion-occupation/
Portugal's position on the Cyprus issue:
Portugal has always supported the peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of international law and the resolutions of the United Nations.T
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