CYPRUS. Republic of Cyprus
A state in Western Asia, located on the island of the same name in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Since 1974, it has remained forcibly divided. Area - 9,251 km². Capital - Nicosia (in English; in Greek - Lefkosia, about 200 thousand), major cities: Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos. The cities of Famagusta, Kyrenia, and Morphou are located in the territory controlled by Turkish troops. Population - about 900 thousand (2001), of which more than 200 thousand (including 115 thousand settlers from Turkey) live in the territory of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in the northern part of the island, where a group of Turkish troops is stationed (over 30 thousand). 78% of the island's population are Greek Cypriots, 18% are Turkish Cypriots, and there are also Armenians and others. The official languages are Greek and Turkish. The main religions are Orthodox Christianity and Islam. The currency is the Cypriot pound = 100 cents.
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on August 18, 1960).
National holiday - October 1 - Independence Day (1960).
Cyprus is a presidential republic. According to the constitution that came into force on August 16, 1960, the state system of the country is based on the principle of ethnic dualism. The president must be a Greek Cypriot, and the vice president must be a Turkish Cypriot; each must be elected by the respective community through direct elections for a term of 5 years. The president and vice president exercise executive power through a Council of Ministers formed by them, both endowed with veto power. Legislative power belongs to the House of Representatives; deputies are elected for a term of 5 years separately by each community. After intercommunal clashes in December 1963, Turkish Cypriots do not participate in the work of the House of Representatives, the Council of Ministers, and other state bodies of the Republic of Cyprus.
The President of the Republic of Cyprus is T. Papadopoulos (since February 16, 2003). The coalition (AKEL, DISY, and EDEK) Council of Ministers he heads includes 11 ministers representing the Greek community. The House of Representatives consists of 56 Greek deputies (24 seats are reserved for Turkish Cypriots). The last parliamentary elections were held on May 27, 2001.
Major political parties: The Progressive Party of Working People of Cyprus (AKEL) - is the successor of the Communist Party of Cyprus (1926-41), the General Secretary of the Central Committee of AKEL is D. Christofias, who received 35% of the votes and 20 seats in parliament in the 2001 elections. The Democratic Rally (DISY) - formed in 1976 on the basis of the United Party of National Thinkers; the party enjoys support from business circles, holding 19 seats in the House of Representatives (34% of the votes in the 2001 elections), leader - N. Anastasiades. The Democratic Party (DP) - founded in 1976; liberal, centrist, chaired by T. Papadopoulos, with 9 deputies elected from its lists. The United Democratic Union of the Center (EDEK) - a left-centrist party, founded in 1969, is an observer in the Socialist International, chaired by V. Lissaridis, with 4 seats in parliament. The United Democrats (OD) - a centrist party, has 1 seat, leader - G. Vasiliou. After the 2001 elections, several small political groups were represented in parliament for the first time - "New Horizons," ADIK, and the Ecologists' Movement, each receiving 1 deputy mandate.
The largest trade union organizations are: The Pancyprian Federation of Labor (PEO), The Confederation of Workers of Cyprus (SEK), The Union of Cypriot Farmers (EKA).
Cyprus, which long belonged to Byzantium, the Crusaders, Venice, Turkey, and then (since 1878) was part of British colonial possessions, gained independence in 1960. The first president of the country was Archbishop Makarios. The granting of state independence was formalized by the Zurich-London agreements of 1959, which limited the sovereignty of the republic. Great Britain, Greece, and Turkey became the so-called guarantors of independence, territorial integrity, and security of Cyprus. Greece and Turkey also received the right to maintain their military contingents on the island, while England retained full sovereignty over an area of 99 square miles, where two major military bases - Dhekelia and Akrotiri - are located.
The agreements signed in 1959 failed to ensure the unity of the island, prevent ethnic division, and intercommunal clashes. In July 1974, a coup attempt was made on the island by the Cypriot reaction with the support of the Athens military junta, which pursued a course of "enosis" (union of Cyprus with Greece). Under the pretext of restoring constitutional order and protecting Turkish Cypriots, Turkey sent its troops to the island, occupying about 37% of its territory. This led to the actual division of Cyprus into two separate parts. The country's economy was disorganized, and connections between communities were completely disrupted. About 200 thousand Greek Cypriots became refugees. In 1974-75, almost all Turkish Cypriots moved to the part of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops, while Greek Cypriots moved to the south of the island. The international community is making active efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.
Since 1964, UN peacekeeping forces have been present on the island, and the post of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Cyprus has been established. UN Security Council resolutions emphasize the inadmissibility of the division of the island, point out the need to eliminate foreign military presence, and cease interference in the internal affairs of the republic. Negotiations between the communities are conducted under the mediation of the UN Secretary-General.
The main principle of resolution remains the existence of a single state, including two politically equal communities.
Cyprus is a member of the UN (since 1960), joined the Council of Europe (since 1961), and is a member of the Commonwealth led by Great Britain. In 1972, it became an associated member of the Common Market. In 1987, a protocol on a Customs Union with the EU was signed, and since 2004
the Republic of Cyprus has been a full member of the EU.
The policy of the Cypriot leadership is aimed at transforming the country into a trade, financial, and tourist center of the Eastern Mediterranean. One of the most important elements of economic policy is attracting foreign investments to Cyprus. The Cypriot economy (not accounting for the occupied territory of the island) is characterized by a large share of the service sector and tourism (76% of GDP). GDP growth rates in 2004 were 3.4%. The inflation rate is 2.1%. Per capita income is about 17.4 thousand euros. Unemployment is 3.5% of the total economically active population.
In agriculture (share in GDP - 4.3%), vegetable growing and horticulture are developed. The most progressive sectors are grape and citrus cultivation. The main grain crops are barley and wheat. Animal husbandry is developed. Due to prolonged drought, agricultural production has noticeably decreased in recent years. The leading industries (20% of GDP) are food, textile, mining, and construction materials. There are deposits of copper and iron pyrites, marble, gypsum, and others. The economy is almost entirely dependent on energy resource imports.
The main role in domestic transportation belongs to road transport. Air routes connect the airports in Larnaca and Paphos with Middle Eastern, North African, and European countries.
The island's position has determined the leading role of the merchant fleet (2,753 ships under the Cypriot flag in 1998). Cyprus is among the countries with open registration.
Tourism is developing rapidly, becoming one of the main sources of foreign currency income (in 2004 - $2 billion). Income from the more than 17 thousand offshore companies operating in Cyprus (which enjoy tax benefits) in 2002 was about $400 million.
The volume of Cyprus's foreign trade in 2004 was $6.1 billion, with exports at $1.54 billion and imports at $5.56 billion. The main trading partners of the Republic of Cyprus are EU countries and Arab states. The main export items are citrus fruits, products of viticulture, and light industry; imports include petroleum products, consumer goods, machinery, and equipment.
The gold and foreign exchange reserves of the Republic of Cyprus amount to $13 billion (2004). The balance of payments is 4.5% of GDP (2004).
The Turkish community. On November 15, 1983, the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC") was proclaimed, recognized only by Turkey. The world community condemned this separatist action aimed at splitting Cyprus. The head ("president") since April 17, 2005, is M. Talat. The "Prime Minister" of the coalition government of the TRNC - DP is M. Soyar. In external contacts, the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community mainly orients itself towards Muslim countries, seeking international recognition of the "TRNC".
The main political parties of the community are: The National Unity Party (UBP; General Chairman - D. Eroğlu); The Democratic Party (DP; Chairman - S. Denktash), representing the interests of settlers from Turkey; The Republican Turkish Party (CTP; leader M. Talat); The Party of Social Liberation (Chairman - X. Angolemli); The Movement for Peace and Democracy (M. Akıncı).
Despite significant financial assistance from Turkey, the community faces great difficulties: a decline in industrial production and investment, an increase in the budget deficit, and others. The service sector plays the main role in the economy - 70% of GDP, the share of agriculture is 7.5%, industry - 13.5%, tourism - 6%. In 2004, the foreign trade deficit reached $640 million ($700 million - imports, $60 million - exports). Per capita income is $7,400. Inflation rates are about 11.6%. Unemployment exceeded 11% of the working-age population. The community's dependence on Turkey is deepening. In 1983, the Turkish lira was declared the official currency of the "TRNC". In 1986, a protocol on economic cooperation between Turkey and the "TRNC" was signed, in 1990, passport control was abolished, and a customs union was developed, and a declaration on "cooperation and support in political and economic areas" was signed. In 1992, agreements were concluded on the import of labor, and bilateral documents on cooperation in culture, healthcare, and sports were signed. On June 20, 1997, Turkey and the "TRNC" issued a joint declaration on measures for economic and financial integration and partial integration in the areas of defense, foreign policy, and security.
Cyprus is called a museum island. Its history goes back to ancient times. The island has a large number of monuments of ancient, early Christian, and Byzantine culture. Fortresses and castles, mosques and monasteries preserve the memory of the times of the Crusades and the era of Ottoman rule. The period of British domination has also left its mark on the country's appearance.
Currently, the Republic of Cyprus is one of the countries with the highest percentage of specialists with university education. Cypriot youth receive higher education in Greece, Turkey, England, the USA, and other countries. In 1993, the first students were admitted to the newly opened University of Cyprus in Nicosia.
The most important media organs of the Republic of Cyprus are the newspapers "Phileleftheros" (20 thousand copies), "Simerini" (13 thousand), "Haravgi" (13 thousand), "Politis" (10 thousand). The Cyprus News Agency (CNA) operates.
The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is a semi-state radio and television commercial service. About 20 private radio stations operate. In the northern part of Cyprus, there is a radio and television station "Bayrak" - the organ of the Turkish community's leadership.