|
History
This state is recognized only by Turkey. It was set up as
a result of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. As many mainland
Turks have emigrated to this area and it is still occupied by
Turkish troops it is better regarded as a dependency of Turkey
than as an independent state.
On independence from Britain in 1960 the state of Cyprus was
guaranteed by Britain, Greece and Turkey. However, the independence
agreement broke down after Greece came under military dictatorship
in 1966, and the Greek Cypriots refused to work with the Turkish
Cypriots who left the government. The Turkish invasion was ostensibly
to protect the Turkish speakers from a psychopathic military
dictatorship which overthrew the legitimate Cypriot government.
Other motives may have been connected with Turkey's membership
of NATO. Many mainland Turks have been encouraged to settle in
this area so that reunification looks unlikely. Probably it is
the policy of the Turkish government to occupy the land indefinitely.
A UN peacekeeping force separates the Greeks from the Turks.
What would happen if it is withdrawn because of the expense?
The events of Summer 1996 showed this to be dangerous as attempts
by Greeks to enter the north were met with fire from the north
and one Greek was killed.
Negotiations with the EU resulted in an agreement for Cyprus
to join in the next group of new members. However, Greece
threatened to veto entry unless the dispute with Turkey were solved.
Turkey has threatened to annexe the north if Greek Cyprus alone
joins. Therefore intensive negotiations began in early 2002 which
might have resulted in a Confederation of the two parts of the island
joining.
The policy of Turkey seems to have changed, as the government
wishes to join the European Union, and sees the north Cyprus
problem as an obstacle. Therefore the Turkish government seems
to favor the UN plan of confederation. However, the then president
of northern Cyprus, Rauf Denktash, seemed to be against this plan.
The deadline of 28 February 2003 passed without a solution.
28 April 2003. North Cyprus government announced that the
border would be opened for Greeks to visit the north, and to
stay for three days a week. This seemed to be an important change,
as it may allow people who have been excluded since the Turkish
invasion to visit their former homes, even though they are now
usually occupied by Turks.
An agreement to form a loose confederation with the north
was rejected by a referendum in the Greek state, although accepted
by the northern state just before entry to the EU on 1 May 2004.
Therefore only the Greek state entered the EU. However, the
EU has promised aid to the northern state which will probably
get some of the benefits of membership.
|
