Cyprus

Travel is somewhat meaningless without the story. The past of a place explains the architecture, sometimes landscape, the culture and the current political and cultural vibe of the place. Cyprus is no different and due to its strategic location, this island has been influenced by various civilizations, including the Mycenaeans, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Persians, and Romans.  

Cyprus has been inhabited since ancient times- almost 6000 years ago during the Neolithic age. From around the 12th century BC saw the establishment of Greek cities and Alexander the Great’s conquests during 4th century BC further solidified Greek culture and influence on the island. Cyprus also became part of the Roman Empire and remained under Roman control until the empire’s division, when it became part of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. During the Byzantine era the island was predominantly Christian and Greek-speaking – however, the Arabs also invaded and occupied it for brief periods. 

In the 12th century, Richard I, England’s king captured Cyprus during the 3rd crusade. He later sold the island to the Knights Templar, who then sold it to Guy de Lusignan, a French knight who was the king of Jerusalem. The Lusignan dynasty ruled Cyprus as a feudal kingdom until the 15th Century when it was ceded to the Republic of Venice. The Venetians fortified the island but faced constant threats from the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans captured Cyprus in the 16th century thus beginning three centuries of Ottoman rule. The Ottomans encouraged settlement by Turkish populations, leading to significant demographic changes. However, the island’s administration was based on the millet system, where religious communities had a degree of autonomy and therefore the Greek Orthodox Church continued to remain influential.  

In the 19th century, Cyprus was leased to the British Empire as part of an agreement with the Ottoman Empire. The British took control of the island, although it remained formally under Ottoman sovereignty until World War I, when Britain formally annexed it. Though in Cyprus there were economic and infrastructural development under the British administration there was increasing resistance from the Greek Cypriots who desired ‘Enosis’ or union with Greece. The movement gained momentum in the early 20th century. In response to Greek Cypriot’s desire for Enosis, Turkish Cypriots began advocating for ‘Taksim’ (partition of the island), fearing domination by the Greek majority. 

After years of conflict and negotiations, Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960. It is interesting to note that Britain retained the Akrotiri Peninsula as a "sovereign base area" and continues to use the Akrotiri Peninsula as a military base. 

Based on the Zurich-London Agreements the Republic of Cyprus was established as an independent state with a power-sharing arrangement between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The constitution provided for a Greek Cypriot president and a Turkish Cypriot vice-president, with significant veto powers. However, this constitutional arrangement soon proved unworkable, leading to political deadlock. In 1964, the United Nations had to establish the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)’ to maintain peace between the two communities 

However, in July 1974, a coup carried out by the Cypriot National Guard deposed President Makarios III and installed a pro-Enosis government, in response to which Turkey invaded Cyprus and the Turkish military operation led to the occupation of the northern part of the island.  

The island has been effectively divided since 1974, with the Republic of Cyprus controlling the south and the self-declared ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)’, recognized only by Turkey, governing the north. 

Today, an UN-administered buffer zone, known as the ‘Green Line’, separates the two parts of the island. Nicosia, the capital, remains the last divided capital in Europe. Numerous rounds of UN-sponsored peace talks have been held since the 1970s to resolve the Cyprus issue, but with little success. In 2004, the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union, though EU law is not effective in the north.