American Hellenic Institute Marks 51st Anniversary of Invasion and Occupation Cyprus

WASHINGTON:. – As the anniversary of Türkiye’s illegal invasion and occupation of the Republic of Cyprus crosses over the half-century threshold, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) remembers this grave violation of international law and will continue to fight for reunification with renewed resolve. For generations, the Republic of Cyprus and its people have endured an illegal occupation by over 40,000 Turkish troops, along with massive violations of both human rights and fundamental freedoms. Fifty-one years of illegal occupation of a European Union member and U.S. partner by Türkiye, a NATO ally, is unacceptable. The United States must take further steps to bring an end to this injustice and hold Türkiye responsible for its actions.

AHI calls for the immediate removal of all Turkish troops from the Republic of Cyprus, urges Congress to address use of U.S. weapons. 

As established in the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 sections of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, “at least 40,000 Turkish troops are stationed in the occupied part of Cyprus with some weapons procured from the United States through mainland Turkey.” If a report was conducted by the president under the powers provided to them through the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), this use of American weapons for purposes other than legitimate self-defense is likely to be found in violation of U.S. laws that regulate the use of said arms. The president must put a stop to this irresponsible use of American weapons by beginning such a report immediately. If no such report is forthcoming, Congress must enact separate legislation to certify that Türkiye’s use of Americans weapons in this capacity is for an illegitimate purpose and simultaneously sanction Türkiye for said illegitimate use.

Türkiye must cease other forms of aggression towards the Republic of Cyprus

Beyond ending its occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, Türkiye’s perpetual threats and acts of aggression toward the country must end. Challenges to the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus in any capacity are unacceptable and clearly demonstrate that Türkiye is a force of instability in the Eastern Mediterranean. An example of such challenges is the illegal reopening of a beach in Varosha located within the fenced-in area of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, which is specifically and explicitly in violation of United Nations resolutions and international treaties. The reopening of Varosha’s beach shows no interest by Erdogan to resume settlement talks and indicates that he favors pursuing steps to continue the occupation of the Republic of Cyprus.

Moreover, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the internationally unrecognized leader of the occupying forces, Ersin Tatar, both publicly support a “two-state” solution for the Republic of Cyprus, which does not follow United Nations resolutions and international law addressing the resolution of the division of the Republic of Cyprus. Erdogan and Tatar’s position is unacceptable in any capacity and must be unequivocally rejected as an option by the United States.

Furthermore, Türkiye’s illegal occupation of Cyprus has impacted the ability of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) to access certain Turkish military installations to excavate the remains of 955 missing Cypriots, including four of whom were Americans, since the invasion for proper identification.

Calling for Engagement at the Highest Levels

The United States must demonstrate it is dedicated to solving the occupation of the Republic of Cyprus problem by voicing and advancing positions that underscore support for the rule of law and respect for international law.

• AHI urges for increased condemnation of the division of the Republic of Cyprus by the United States government and international community.

• AHI urges the United States government to send a clear message to Erdogan by calling on him to support reunification efforts in a constructive manner which would include the removal of troops, illegal settlers, and rights of guarantees.

Furthermore, Cypriots themselves should have ownership of the resolution process, and the Cypriot people should arrive at a solution that is for the Cypriot people, which must embody the full respect of the principles and laws of the European Union, of which the Republic of Cyprus is a member.

The Republic of Cyprus as Strategic Partner, Problem Solver

Despite facing the pressures and limitations resulting from its occupation, the Republic of Cyprus has made tremendous strides since 1974 to become a beacon of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Today, the Republic of Cyprus is viewed by the United States as a strategic partner due to its commitment to counterterrorism and global security. An example of the growing relationship resulting from increased cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus is the beginning of a Strategic Dialogue between the two countries in late 2024. Soon after, the State Department announced that the “cooperation between the United States and the ROC is at a historic high” on January 20, 2025. These latest developments build upon decades worth of positive measures that took root when the Republic of Cyprus became a signatory to the United States’ Proliferation Security Initiative in 2005. Since then, U.S. and the Republic of Cyprus signed a Statement of Intent agreement that yielded further advances in defense and security cooperation. Other examples of cooperation include; the United States providing funding through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program to the Republic of Cyprus; supporting the construction of the Cyprus Center for Land, Open-Seas, and Port Security (CYCLOPS), an innovative security site that has been repeatedly utilized by the United States; the annual lifting of an arms prohibition on the Republic of Cyprus; a partnership between the New Jersey National Guard and the Republic of Cyprus National Guard through the State Partnership Program; working with the U.S. to open a sea corridor to ship aid to Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war, and more initiatives.

The Republic of Cyprus continues to advance its bilateral relations with key U.S. allies, including Greece and Israel, and plays an integral role in the “3+1” Eastern Mediterranean multilateral cooperation structure. The Republic of Cyprus also continues to emerge as a major future player in the energy sector in the Eastern Mediterranean, the broader region, and Europe – despite Türkiye’s contesting of its EEZ, which should be addressed by the U.S. for its hindrance to the projects of U.S. energy companies.

Background of the 1974 Invasion of the Republic of Cyprus

On July 20, 1974, the Government of Türkiye ordered its military to invade the Republic of Cyprus, and on August 14, 1974, three weeks after the legitimate government of the Republic of Cyprus was restored, Türkiye launched the second phase of its invasion, illegally occupying 37% of the Republic of Cyprus’s sovereign territory, killing innocent civilians, forcing 170,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes and properties, and committing mass destruction of Cyprus’ cultural and religious heritage, including an estimated 500 churches and religious sites belonging to Christian and Jewish communities. Such actions were in violation of the Treaty of Establishment, the Treaty of Alliance, and Treaty of Guaranty which established the Republic of Cyprus and guaranteed the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, the United Nations Charter, and international law.

On January 27, 1989, then-Senator Joe Biden wrote to AHI, stating:

“we cannot lose sight of the fact that the rights of Greek Cypriots have been trampled upon, and we must ensure that their claims to ancestral land and property seized during the 1974 invasion are not compromised. Finally, we must send a signal to Turkey that until it has removed every last soldier from Cyprus, it will never be recognized as a full member of the international community.”

AHI will continue its fight to achieve a just resolution to the occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, which is in the best interests of the United States. The Republic of Cyprus can only be fully utilized by the United States once reunified.