Yes, Cyprus was a member of the British Commonwealth from 1961 until it became an independent republic in 1960.
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Yes, Cyprus was a member of the British Commonwealth from 1961 until it became an independent republic in 1960. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 countries, mostly former territories of the British Empire, which work together towards shared goals of democracy, development, and peace.
According to The Commonwealth website, “The modern Commonwealth operates as a free association of sovereign independent states that work together in the common interests of their citizens.” Cyprus gained independence from the UK in 1960 but remained in the Commonwealth until 1961.
Here are some interesting facts about Cyprus and the Commonwealth:
- The Commonwealth of Nations was founded in 1931 as the British Commonwealth of Nations and became the Commonwealth of Nations in 1949.
- Cyprus was a British colony from 1878 until 1960 when it gained its independence.
- Cyprus became a republic in 1960 with Archbishop Makarios III as the first president.
- The Commonwealth was created to promote democracy, human rights, and economic development among its member countries.
- The current Secretary-General of the Commonwealth is Patricia Scotland, a lawyer and former Attorney General of England and Wales.
- The Commonwealth has its headquarters in Marlborough House, London.
- The Commonwealth Charter, adopted in 2013, outlines the values and principles of the Commonwealth, including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
- There are currently 54 members of the Commonwealth, including Australia, Canada, India, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Here is a table showing the timeline of Cyprus in the Commonwealth:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1878 | Cyprus becomes a British colony |
| 1960 | Cyprus gains independence from UK |
| 1961 | Cyprus becomes a member of the Commonwealth |
| 1961 | Cyprus withdraws from the Commonwealth |
| 2004 | Cyprus becomes a member of the European Union |
In the words of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, “The Commonwealth is a vital force in promoting international understanding, cooperation, and peace. It represents a global consensus on values and principles that transcend geography, politics, and religion.”
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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.
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Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, after 82 years of British control. The two countries now enjoy warm relations; however, the continuing British sovereignty of the Akrotiri and Dhekelia Sovereign Base Areas has continued to divide Cypriots.
With an advanced, high-income economy and a very high Human Development Index, the Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the Commonwealth since 1961 and was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement until it joined the European Union on 1 May 2004.
Cyprus became a republic on August 16, 1960, and was admitted as a member of the UN. The British government agreed to provide financial assistance over a period of five years, and Cyprus gained membership in the Commonwealth in March 1961.
Republic of Cyprus joins the Commonwealth 13 March 1961 Cyprus becomes the 12th country to join the Commonwealth.
The two countries share membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. At the moment, according to a 2011 estimate by Yiannis Papadakis, there are an estimated 270,000 Greek Cypriots living in the UK. Furthermore, a 2011 report by the Home Affairs Committee states that there are 300,000 Turkish Cypriots living in the UK.
The Republic of Cyprus (RoC) became the 12th member to join the Commonwealth on 13 March 1961.
I’m sure you’ll be interested
Beside above, Why is Cyprus in the British Commonwealth? Cyprus became a republic on August 16, 1960, and was admitted as a member of the UN. The British government agreed to provide financial assistance over a period of five years, and Cyprus gained membership in the Commonwealth in March 1961.
Does the UK own parts of Cyprus?
As an answer to this: Akrotiri and Dhekelia (/ˌækroʊˈtɪəri ənd diˈkeɪliə/), officially the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBA), is a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus.
Then, When did Cyprus became a Commonwealth country?
In March 1961 at the 1961 Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference, Cyprus became an independent republic in the Commonwealth of Nations, and Archbishop Makarios III became both a Commonwealth head of state and a Commonwealth head of government.
Furthermore, What countries are under the British Commonwealth? As of 2023, there are 15 Commonwealth realms: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdom.
Is Northern Cyprus recognised by the Commonwealth? Answer: Northern Cyprus is not recognised by the Commonwealth. Dominica has always been a republic since independence. Joined as Swaziland, subsequently changing its name to Eswatini on 19 April 2018.
Correspondingly, When did Cyprus become a part of the UK?
Cyprus was placed under the United Kingdom ‘s administration based on the Cyprus Convention in 1878 and was formally annexed by the UK in 1914.
Is Cyprus a member of the European Union?
Cyprus is a major tourist destination in the Mediterranean. With an advanced, high-income economy and a very high Human Development Index, the Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the Commonwealth since 1961 and was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement until it joined the European Union on 1 May 2004.
Keeping this in view, Is Cyprus a sovereign island?
The Republic of Cyprus has de jure sovereignty over the entire island, including its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, with the exception of the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which remain under the UK’s control according to the London and Zürich Agreements.
Beside this, Is Cyprus still a British country? Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, after 82 years of British control. The two countries now enjoy warm relations, however the continuing British sovereignty of the Akrotiri and Dhekelia Sovereign Base Areas has continued to divide Cypriots.
Also question is, Is Northern Cyprus recognised by the Commonwealth? Answer will be: Northern Cyprus is not recognised by the Commonwealth. Dominica has always been a republic since independence. Joined as Swaziland, subsequently changing its name to Eswatini on 19 April 2018.
Is Cyprus a member of the European Union? Response: Cyprus is a major tourist destination in the Mediterranean. With an advanced, high-income economy and a very high Human Development Index, the Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the Commonwealth since 1961 and was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement until it joined the European Union on 1 May 2004.
What are Cyprus-British relations?
Cypriot–British relations are foreign relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom. Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, after 82 years of British control.