Greece has never officially taken over Cyprus, but rather established close political and cultural ties with the island nation.
If you require more information, continue reading
Although Greece has never officially taken over Cyprus, the two countries share a complex and intertwined history. Cyprus was a colony of the British Empire until it gained independence in 1960. However, the Greek Cypriot population of the island sought to unify with Greece, while the Turkish Cypriot population favored partition. In 1974, Greek Cypriot National Guard officers staged a coup that aimed to unite Cyprus with Greece, which prompted Turkey to take military action and occupy the northern part of the island.
Despite this conflict, Greece has maintained close political and cultural ties with Cyprus. Greece supported the Republic of Cyprus during the coup and subsequent Turkish invasion, and has been a vocal advocate for the reunification of the island under a federal solution. The two countries share a common language and religion, and many Cypriots hold Greek citizenship in addition to their Cypriot nationality.
As historian Richard Clogg has noted, “the connection between Greece and Cyprus goes back a very long way,” with evidence of Greek colonization of Cyprus dating back to the 8th century BCE. Over the centuries, Cyprus has been ruled by various Greek and Hellenistic kingdoms, as well as by the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. In 1832, Cyprus briefly became a British protectorate before being handed over to British colonial rule in 1878.
In more recent history, Greece has played a key role in attempts to resolve the conflict over Cyprus. Along with Turkey, Greece is one of the guarantor powers of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, which established the sovereignty and independence of Cyprus. Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders have engaged in numerous rounds of negotiations facilitated by the United Nations, with Greek and Turkish officials often present as observers or mediators.
Despite these efforts, Cyprus remains a divided island, with a UN buffer zone separating the Greek Cypriot south from the Turkish Cypriot north. The question of whether and how Greece may become more involved in resolving the conflict remains a matter of ongoing debate and speculation.
| Greek Rule in Cyprus |
|---|
| Greek colonization of Cyprus dates back to 8th century BCE. |
| Cyprus has been ruled by various Greek and Hellenistic kingdoms, including the Ptolemaic and Seleucid Empires. |
| The Byzantine Empire ruled Cyprus from 330 to 1191. |
| During the Ottoman Empire (1571-1878), Cyprus was an administrative district called a vilayet. |
| Cyprus became a British protectorate in 1878, and a crown colony in 1925. |
| Cyprus gained independence from the UK in 1960, with Greece and Turkey as guarantor powers. |
See the answer to “When did Greece take over Cyprus?” in this video
Cyprus became divided after tensions rose between the Greek and Turkish populations following the country’s independence from Britain, leading to a Greek-backed coup in 1974. Turkey intervened unilaterally to protect the Turkish minority, which embarrassed the military government in Greece and led to international condemnation when Turkey continued to push further across the island. The Turkish Cypriot administration was created, and many people were forced out of their homes and cleared from the north. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot government declared independence, which was only supported by Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Despite international condemnation, the island remains divided today.
There are additional viewpoints
Throughout its long history and due to its strategically important location, Cyprus had been conquered by the major colonial powers of the Eastern Mediterranean. However, from the 12th century BC, when the first Greeks colonized the island and through the centuries, the island’s Greek character has always prevailed.
After Greece threatened to veto the entire enlargement process unless Cyprus was included in the first round of accession, the EU was forced to confirm that Cyprus would join the EU on 1 May 2004, along with Malta and eight other states from Central and Eastern Europe.
When did Greece take over Cyprus? The 1974 Cypriot coup d’état, initiated by the Greek military junta, was followed five days later by Turkey’s invasion, leading to the occupation of the northern part of the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus.
PETER KENYON, BYLINE: Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek-inspired coup toppled the sitting Cypriot president and Turkey quickly invaded, with the military winding up in control of about a third of the island.
In 1974, the island-nation of Cyprus was engulfed in conflict when a coup overthrew the government with the goal of joining Cyprus (which has a Greek majority, but a sizable Turkish minority), into Greece.
But Greece did start putting forces on the islands in the 1960s, as inter-communal relations broke down on Cyprus between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, complicating Greek-Turkish relations. In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus after a Greek-backed coup attempt on the island.
The long-standing conflict between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority and an invasion of the island by Turkish troops in 1974 produced an actual—although internationally unrecognized—partition of the island and led to the establishment in 1975 of a de facto Turkish Cypriot state in the northern third of the country.
Moreover, people are interested
People also ask, How did Cyprus become a Greek country?
The answer is: The immigration of settlers from Greece, which had begun at least by 1200, led to the foundation of Greek kingdoms covering most of the island, and, since the start of the 1st millennium bce, the Greek language has been predominant in Cyprus.
Also asked, Who ruled Cyprus in 1878? Answer to this: In 1878 the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, came under British control. Its population is made up of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot majority desired the removal of British rule and union with Greece, known as Enosis.
Similarly one may ask, What happened to Cyprus after the Turkish invasion? The Turkish invasion ended in the partition of Cyprus along the UN-monitored Green Line, which still divides Cyprus, and the formation of a de facto Autonomous Turkish Cypriot Administration in the north. In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) declared independence, although Turkey is the only country that recognises it.
How many Greek Cypriots leave Cyprus? About 165,000 Greek Cypriots flee or are driven from the Turkish-occupied north, and about 45,000 Turkish Cypriots leave the south for the north. The UN Security Council unanimously passes a resolution calling on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus.
Keeping this in consideration, How did Cyprus become a Greek country?
Answer to this: The immigration of settlers from Greece, which had begun at least by 1200, led to the foundation of Greek kingdoms covering most of the island, and, since the start of the 1st millennium bce, the Greek language has been predominant in Cyprus.
Keeping this in consideration, Who ruled Cyprus in 1878?
Answer to this: In 1878 the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, came under British control. Its population is made up of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot majority desired the removal of British rule and union with Greece, known as Enosis.
Hereof, What happened to Cyprus after the Turkish invasion?
Response: The Turkish invasion ended in the partition of Cyprus along the UN-monitored Green Line, which still divides Cyprus, and the formation of a de facto Autonomous Turkish Cypriot Administration in the north. In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) declared independence, although Turkey is the only country that recognises it.
Correspondingly, How many Greek Cypriots leave Cyprus?
As a response to this: About 165,000 Greek Cypriots flee or are driven from the Turkish-occupied north, and about 45,000 Turkish Cypriots leave the south for the north. The UN Security Council unanimously passes a resolution calling on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus.