Cyprus
Cyprus is a Mediterranean island, 50 km south of Turkey.
Internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus as the legitimate government of the entire island, but it controls only the southern two-thirds of the island. In 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus and occupied the northern third of the island. Since then Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been created, but this government is not recognized by other states than Turkey. Conversely, Turkey no longer recognize the Greek Cypriot government in the South Island, even as the Government over the southern part of the island. At the 1974 invasion of thousands of Greeks fled to the south and the Turkish army drove out nearly all the remaining Greeks from the North Island. From the South Island fled and emigrated corresponding almost all the Turkish minority in the North Island. Where both the North Island and South Island as had been 80% Greek and 20% Turkish before 1974, the island was in 1975 effectively split into an ethnic Greek and ethnic Turkish part. In common parlance refers to the two areas therefore often as, “the Greek” and “Turkish” part of Cyprus.
Since 1977 there have been negotiations to reunify the island, but without success. There were international hopeful that there would be a breakthrough at the Copenhagen summit, paving the way for EU’s eastward enlargement, but it was a fiasco. Apparently the Greek Mr Clerides is ready to sign, while the Turkish Rauf Denktas got cold feet. Up to Cyprus’ EU accession tried UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to get support for a new peace plan. “Anna Plan”. In a referendum in both parts of the island plan was endorsed by the Turkish side (64.9% voted “yes”), while a large majority of the Greek population rejected the plan as inadequate and voted “no” (75.8%). Greeks’ main objection to the plan was that they felt that it would provide too few of the refugees from 1974 right to come home (about half.) 1 May 2004, Cyprus officially joined the EU. Officially, the whole island is now a member of the EU (then the world community recognizes the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereignty over the island). In reality, only the government-controlled Greek part is busy and EU legislation (so-called Acquis Communautaire) is not imposed on the North Island before there is a political agreement on the entire island’s future. The failure to resolve the Cyprus conflict is seen as the main obstacle to Turkish EU membership. It is such a big political problem that Turkey has signed a customs agreement with the EU, but also prohibits Cypriot planes and ships (1 / 4 of the EU’s merchant fleet) to approach Turkey
History of Cyprus
Kypros means copper in Greek, because the island is rich in copper deposits. The oldest settlements dating back to the time 7,000 BC settlements were concentrated along the north and south coasts. There are remains of stone vessels from this period as well as potsherds. Later – around 3000 BC began to exploit the island’s rich copper resources, which gave its name to the island. This brought great prosperity to the island and began to act in particular with Asia Minor, Egypt and the surrounding islands. About 1200 BC came a wave of immigrants from Greece and brought their language, their religion and their culture. They built such town of Paphos. The island’s prosperity grew, although it was occupied and dominated by Syria, Egypt and Persia.
Alexander the Great finds the Persians, and Cyprus becomes part of his world empire. After his death becomes Cyprus a part of the Hellenistic kingdom, and the capital is now Paphos.
Cyprus is also being absorbed by the Roman empire, first as a province of Syria. The indefatigable traveler and missionary Paul, we now have ‘met’ a myriad of places, Christian down the island’s consul, and Cyprus became the first country with a Christian government. His faithful companion Barnabas later returned to Cyprus where he was born, and became the church’s first bishop. Like so many other early Christians, he suffered martyrdom and was buried in secret.
After the division of the Roman Empire is Cyprus a part of the Eastern Roman Empire, ruled from Byzantium. Constantine the Great’s mother is said to have visited Cyprus on the journey from the Holy Land with the remains of Jesus’ cross. She founded Stavrouni monastery. Several earthquakes in the 4 – century devastated large parts of the island’s cities. New towns and many churches were built at that time. The capital moved to Constantinople now. The island was attacked by both the Turks and pirates.
On the road to Jerusalem stranded Richard the Lionheart in Cyprus, which he holds (when he still is here). He marries Berengaria of Navarree in Limassol, which is going to be crowned English queen. Richard sold the island to the Templars for 100,000 dinars.
Also, a Danish king visited Cyprus at the time. Erik Ejegod (1056-1103) came here on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his wife Bodil. He died in Paphos and was buried in the Byzantine cathedral. His wife went on to Jerusalem where she died on the Mount of Olives.
In approx. 100 years the island was subject to Venice, who are rebuilding and fortifying cities to withstand attack from the Ottomans (Turks). In 1570, Cyprus was however captured by the Turks, who destroyed a large part of the island’s population. At the Greek Independence War in 1821, the island’s archbishop, 3 bishops and hundreds of leaders executed. During the period becomes Turkish officials deployed in all offices and a large number of merchants and soldiers moving to the island. Today’s Turkish Cypriot inhabitants are descendants of them.
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