Statement on 50th Anniversary of Invasion of Cyprus
No. 69
WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) remembers the somber 50th anniversary of Turkey’s brutal invasion of the Republic of Cyprus (ROC). A half century of occupation by a NATO member, of a country which has been a member of the European Union since 2004, is unacceptable and must not stand.
For generations, the Republic of Cyprus and its people have endured an illegal occupation by Turkish troops, currently estimated at 40,000, along with massive violations of both human rights and fundamental freedoms.
AHI calls for the immediate removal of all Turkish troops from the Republic of Cyprus.
With their presence, Turkey continues to disregard U.S. law when it transfers US-made weapons from mainland Turkey to the Turkish-occupied Republic of Cyprus. Congress must put a stop to this irresponsible transfer of weapons to prevent the potential undermining of US intent and authority.
Turkey’s perpetual threats and acts of aggression toward the Republic of Cyprus must end. Challenges to the sovereignty of the ROC are unacceptable and clearly demonstrate that Turkey is a force of instability in the Eastern Mediterranean. For example, Turkey reopened a beach in Varosha located within the fenced-in area of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, which Turkey has occupied since it unlawfully invaded the Republic of Cyprus in 1974. This action violated United Nations resolutions and international treaties to which the U.S. and Turkey are signatories.
Moreover, Erdogan and the internationally unrecognized “Turkish Cypriot leader” Ersin Tatar publicly support a “two-state” solution for Cyprus--the permanent partition of the island. Erdogan’s position on these matters contravenes the positions of the United Nations and the U.S. government.
The United States must condemn Erdoğan’s support for illegally re-opening the beach in Varosha and disrupting efforts of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus
The change in Varosha’s status shows no interest by Erdoğan to resume settlement talks and indicates that he favors pursuing steps to continue the occupation of the Republic of Cyprus.
Furthermore, Turkey’s illegal occupation of the ROC has impacted the ability of The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) to access certain Turkish military installations to excavate the remains of 955 missing Cypriots, including four remains of American citizens, for proper identification.
Calling for Engagement at the Highest Levels
The United States should demonstrate it is dedicated to solving the ‘Cyprus problem’ by voicing and advancing positions that underscore support for the rule of law and respect for international order.
● AHI contends there must be a more vocal condemnation of the division of the Republic of Cyprus by the United States and international community as this 50-year anniversary is observed.
● The United States government must send a strong message to President Erdogan by calling on Ankara to support reunification efforts in a constructive manner which would include the removal of troops, illegal settlers, and antiquated rights of guarantees.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has frequently mentioned the need of the United States to “uphold the rules-based international order.” However, to do this, the application of the rule of law cannot be selectively applied; all countries which seek to undermine the “rules-based international order” must be held accountable, including Turkey.
In addition, The Treaty of Guarantee, which would allow for future Turkish military invasions and occupations of the Republic of Cyprus, must be abandoned. Such actions would be significant confidence building measures in the peace process. Turkey must forgo its intransigence and unhelpful anachronistic positions.
Cypriots themselves should have ownership of the resolution process and the Cypriot people should arrive at a solution that is best for the Cypriot people; a bizonal, bicommunal federation that must embody the full respect of the principles and laws of the European Union, of which the Republic of Cyprus is a member.
Regarding the EU, when the Republic of Cyprus received threats from Hezbollah, the EU, in defence of the ROC, essentially stated that the Republic of Cyprus is the EU and the EU is the Republic of Cyprus. Why then is this EU position not applied as it relates to Turkey’s occupation and threats to the Republic of Cyprus?
The Republic of Cyprus as Strategic Partner, Problem Solver
Finally, this is not the Republic of Cyprus of 50 years ago. The ROC has made tremendous strides and is viewed today by the United States as a strategic partner due to its commitment to counterterrorism and global security. The Republic of Cyprus is a signatory to the United States’ Proliferation Security Initiative, and since the Statement of Intent agreement signed with the United States in 2018, several additional important steps have occurred. The United States provides International Military Education and Training (IMET) program funding to the Republic of Cyprus. The Cyprus Center for Land, Open-Seas, and Port Security (CYCLOPS), an innovative security site that has been partially funded by the U.S., is in operation. The U.S. lifted an arms prohibition on The Republic of Cyprus, subject to an annual review, although the lifting of the arms prohibition should become a permanent, long-term reality.
Last year, the New Jersey National Guard and the Republic of Cyprus National Guard formalized their State Partnership Program collaboration, demonstrating the burgeoning US-ROC security partnership. Most recently, in June 2024, the United States and the ROC announced the beginning of a Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, citing recent high-level cooperation and partnership on multiple fronts. The first meeting of this dialogue will occur in September in the Republic of Cyprus and will mark a new height in US-ROC relations.
The Republic of Cyprus continues to advance its bilateral relations with Israel and plays an integral role in an Eastern Mediterranean multilateral partnership with Israel and Greece; a partnership that at times includes the United States in a 3+1 framework. The ROC’s ongoing development as a key contributor to security and as a major player in the energy sector in the Eastern Mediterranean, the broader region, and Europe can only be hindered by Turkish aggression and gunboat diplomacy demonstrated previously in the ROC’s EEZ. Such aggression must never be allowed to materialize again.
Background
On July 20, 1974, the government of Turkey ordered its military to invade the Republic of Cyprus with the illegal use of U.S.-supplied arms and equipment, in violation of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. This also violated the Treaty of Establishment, the Treaty of Alliance and Treaty of Guaranty, which established the Republic of Cyprus and guaranteed the independence of the Republic of Cyprus; and the United Nations Charter and international law. Turkey occupied about four percent of Cyprus during the initial phase of its invasion, yet on August 14, 1974, three weeks after the legitimate government of the Republic of Cyprus was restored, Turkey launched the second phase of its invasion of the Republic of Cyprus, occupying 37 percent of the ROC’s sovereign territory, killing innocent civilians, forcing 170,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes and properties, and committing mass destruction of the Republic of Cyprus’ cultural and religious heritage, including an estimated 500 churches and religious sites belonging to Christian and Jewish communities.
On January 27, 1989, then-Senator Joe Biden wrote to AHIPAC Chairman Dr. Dean Lomis, a constituent, in which he stated:
“…we must urge the new Administration [President George H.W. Bush] to make Cyprus a higher policy priority in American foreign policy…we cannot lose sight of the fact that the rights of Greek Cypriots have been trampled upon, and we must ensure that their claims to ancestral land and property seized during the 1974 invasion are not compromised. Finally, we must send a signal to Turkey that until it has removed every last soldier from Cyprus, it will never be recognized as a full member of the international community.”
The Biden administration should enact policies according to the ideals of this statement from then-Senator Joe Biden to ensure that the 50 years of illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus can eventually be brought to an end.
The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.
For additional information, please contact us at (202) 785-8430 or pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.