The division of Cyprus has been a reality for more than 40 years. On July 20, 1974 the Turkish army began its invasion of the island code named “Ayşe went on holidays”. The invasion followed a putsch that toppled President Makarios and was inspired by the Greek military regime. This invasion initiated sweeping ethnic regrouping and the de facto constitution of a separate state in Northern Cyprus under Turkish tutelage. Over the following years, these institutions were consolidated against a backdrop of abortive negotiations. On November 15, 1983 the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cpyrus” (TRNC1 ) proclaimed its independence. To date, Turkey remains the only state to have recognised the TRNC.weiterlesen