THE EVOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM AND THE ADVENT OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

Gabit Zhumatay

2025

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DOI 10.48371/ismo.2025.60.2.005
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

The paper explores and analyzes the background and genesis of the Cyprus problem in international relations and the events leading to the 1974 Turkish military intervention and the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This research problem is relevant and significant against the backdrop of the recent events regarding the pledge of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to comply with the United Nations Security Council resolutions 541 and 550 in 1983, which consider the TRNC as a secessionist illegitimate entity. From this perspective, the study examines the key historical events between 1960 and 1983 from the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus to the creation of the TRNC. As qualitative research, the study employs methods of historical analysis and content analysis. Through these methods, the study examines and analyzes official diplomatic documents, international treaties, the 1960 constitution of Cyprus and other primary sources to investigate the research problem. Besides, the study draws on relevant literature by Turkish, Turkish Cypriot, Greek, Greek Cypriot and scholars and experts from other countries. The establishment of the TRNC is regarded by the international community as incompatible with the international treaties of 1960 and thereby invalid. However, the results of the study have shown that the breach of the treaties and the 1960 constitution of Cyprus was committed by the Greek Cypriots. Having unilaterally and illegally usurped the power, the Greek majority in cahoots with the Greek junta intended to abolish the state of Cyprus and integrate it with Greece. The flagrant breach of the international treaties and the 1960 constitution by both the Greek Cypriots and Greece provoked the Turkish military intervention in July 1974, the division of the island and the establishment of the TRNC as the only viable solution to the Cyprus problem.