“But that is what islands are for; they are places where different destinies can meet and intersect in the full isolation of time” - Lawrence Durrell, “Bitter Lemons of Cyprus”
Cyprus, a divided island in the Mediterranean Sea
The island of Cyprus is considered to be the place where Aphrodite was born: the beauty of its beaches and landscapes is unparalleled in the European continent.
Cyprus is the third island of the Mediterranean Sea in terms of dimensions, and it is nowadays a very popular touristic attraction. It is, however, a divided island: since 1974 its southwestern territory has been inhabited by a Greek population, while its northeastern part has hosted an important Turkish settlement. Even its capital city Nicosia (Lefkoşa in Turkish) is divided, and its sectors are separated by a wall. A plaque posed on the border reminds the visitors that Nicosia is the “last divided capital city in the world”. When you pass the border between the territories, even the landscape reminds you of the separation: the Greek part is characterized by large streets with many European commercial activities, while the Turkish one hosts a huge and noisy bazaar, the typical Middle Eastern marketplace. In a sense, the Cypriot boundary represents the frontier between Christian Europe and Muslim Middle East, and that’s the result of Cyprus’ complex history.
A brief history of Cyprus, disputed between Turks and Greeks
Cyprus has a long history of changing rulers due to its strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite being geographically close to Asia, Cyprus has had a predominantly Greek culture since ancient times. In 1570 Cyprus came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which resulted in two different populations: Turkish and Greek. European colonial powers took an interest in Cyprus after the opening of the Suez Canal (1869), and in 1878 it was ceded to Britain. After World War II, the struggle for independence began, resulting in the formation of two movements: one for Enosis (i.e., for the union of Cyprus with Greece) and the other for Taksim (i.e., the division of the island into a Greek and a Turkish part). Cyprus gained independence in 1960, and a constitution that allowed both ethnic groups to be represented in the government was issued. In 1974, Greece staged a coup to obtain Enosis (which eventually failed), and Turkey consequently invaded Cyprus. This led to the redistribution of the population on an ethnic basis, and in 1983 the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was established. The island remains divided by the so-called Green Line, which separates the Republic of Cyprus from the TRNC.
Current situation and future perspectives
Various negotiations have been conducted over the years to reunify the island or find a stable solution, but they have all failed. In 2004, the Republic of Cyprus (the southern and Greek-speaking part) joined the European Union and adopted the Euro in 2008; the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continues to use the Turkish Lira and it is only recognized as a state by Turkey. The two states are also divided by the language (Greek and Turkish) and the religion: in the Republic of Cyprus, Orthodox Christianism predominates; in the TRNC, the prevailing religion is Islam, albeit practiced in a soft form.
Finding a solution is so complicated because of many factors. First, Cyprus has a great geostrategic importance because it represents a sort of crossing point among Africa, Asia and Europe and it is roughly halfway between the Dardanelles Strait and the Suez Canal, two vital points for controlling the trade routes not only of the Mediterranean but also of the Black Sea. Moreover, possessing military bases in Cyprus is indispensable for being able to dominate the eastern Mediterranean.
Furthermore, in 2011 large deposits of natural gas were discovered in its seabed, so Cyprus is now part of the "energy triangle" with Israel and Greece and it is participating in the EastMed pipeline project that is expected to bring natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean to European markets. (GeoPop, 2022)
For Turkey, the control of at least a part of Cyprus is indispensable in order to participate in the exploitation of the deposits of hydrocarbons. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that the Turkish Cypriot authorities, although aware of the importance of Turkey’s protection, have decided not to cede control of the resources to Ankara. Moreover, in recent times the Russian-Ukrainian war and the resulting problems in purchasing natural gas from Russia has increased the interest of Western countries in the island.
For the exposed reasons, the future of Cyprus is undefined. Many citizens still hope the union with Greece (Enosis), while others believe in a reunification of the island or in a complete division of it.
In any case, in the last two decades the conflicts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have decreased and since 2003 it has been possible to cross the Green Line, on which seven crossing checkpoints are now present.
Let’s sum up!
In conclusion, the history of Cyprus is a long and complex one that has left a lasting impact on the island and its people. The island’s strategic location in the Mediterranean has made it a coveted prize throughout history, resulting in a rich and diverse cultural heritage. However, the island’s division into a Greek and Turkish part, which dates back to the 1960’s and 1970’s conflicts, remains a source of ongoing tension and a major obstacle to reunification. Despite numerous attempts at negotiation, finding a solution to this long- standing issue continues to prove challenging. In his visit to the island in December 2021, Pope Francis has exhorted the population to break down the walls: "We are brothers, loved by the same Father. You are immersed in the Mediterranean Sea: a sea of different stories, a sea that has cradled many civilizations, a sea from which peoples and cultures from all over the world still land today". (RaiNews, 2021)
As Cyprus moves forward, it is important to acknowledge and learn from its history in order to pave a path towards a peaceful and prosperous future.
Bibliography
Bombardieri L, & Graziadio G. (2019). Cipro. Preistoria di un'isola mediterranea.Milano: Mondadori Education.
Bowman, J., Goult H., & Hunt D. (2023). Cyprus. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Cyprus
Christofides M., & Lambrou E. (2019). The island everyone waned. An illustrated history of Cyprus. Indipendently published.
Clark, T. (2020). A brief history of Cyprus: the story of a divided island. London: Upper Street Press.
Dapino C., Lee J., & Quintero J. (2015). Cipro. Turin: Lonely Planet Italia.
Durrell, L. (2021). The bitter lemons of Cyprus. London: Faber and Faber ltd.
Fonzo, E. (2022). La storia e l’importanza geopolitica di Cipro, un Paese diviso in mezzo al Mediterraneo. Geopop. Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://www.geopop.it/la-storia-e-limportanza-geopolitica-di-cipro-un-paese-diviso- in-mezzo-al-mediterraneo/
Mistretta, L (2021). Papa Francesco è a Cipro: "In questo viaggio toccheremo delle piaghe". Retrieved April 23, 2023, from: http://www.rainews.it/archivio- rainews/articoli/Papa-Francesco-a-cipro-nel-viaggio-toccheremo-piaghe-fafc46c2- 7c17-486a-b0b3-98a9470fad0d.html
Shafak, E. (2021). The island of missing trees. NewYork: Viking Press.
Shakespeare, W. (2015). Othello. London: Penguin Books ltd.
Comments