“Until a solution is achieved reflecting the realities of the island, we will not cooperate or trade with the Greek-Cypryan administration,” said Erdogan during a visit to the Turkish part of the divided capital of Cyprus, Nicosia.
– The Turkish nation, which has preserved its language, religion and culture on the island for over 500 years, really deserves to look into the future with hope and trust – added the Turkish leader. He also noted that “he is aware that there are those whose hatred and revenge are so strong that they would drive the Turks not only from the island, but even from Anatolia if they could.”
The turbulent fate of the island
Cyprus is divided into the EU Cyprus Republic and the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRCP), recognized in the international arena only by Ankara. There are over 30,000 in the north. Turkish soldiers. Turkish Cypriots and Ankara are in favor of a two -state solution, which the Greeks, who are supporters of union in the form of a federation, do not agree.
The island until 1960 was a British colony, and the Greeks and the Turks inhabited by it shared power until 1963. Tax dispute then turned into conflict regarding the whole functioning of the island. There was an outbreak of violence, and after six months the UN peacekeeping forces were directed at Cyprus, which remain there to this day, guarding the buffer zone dividing the island into the northern and southern parts.
In 1960, Turkey, Greece and Great Britain were appointed to the guarantors of Cypriot sovereignty. They were given the right to intervene in the event of a broken constitutional order.
Referring to this record, on July 20, 1974, Ankara made an armed intervention. Five days earlier, Junta, the ruling of Black colonels in Greece, inspired the host of nationalists, which overthrew the legitimate government of Cyprus.
The constitutional order was quickly restored in Cyprus, but Türkiye never withdrew from the island. The Turks define the invasion of Cyprus as a peace operation to protect the repressed Turkish population.
