Cyprus 50 years on: A tale of division and diverging memories

Greek Cypriots mourn, Turkish Cypriots celebrate as reconciliation remains elusive

NICOSIA:

On the 50th anniversary of Turkiye's 1974 invasion of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots mourned while Turkish Cypriots celebrated, highlighting the enduring rift on the island and the elusive nature of reconciliation.

The island of Cyprus remains a focal point of tension between Greece and Turkiye, both NATO allies yet often at odds. The contrast was stark on Saturday as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attended a military parade in north Nicosia, commemorating what Turkish forces call a "peace operation," while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended somber events in the south, marking what Greek Cypriots consider a "barbaric" invasion.

"The Cyprus Peace Operation saved Turkish Cypriots from cruelty and brought them freedom," Erdogan told the cheering crowds in north Nicosia. He expressed a willingness to negotiate for a long-term peace but dismissed the possibility of reunification under a federal system, as envisioned by UN resolutions.

In contrast, Mitsotakis reiterated the Greek Cypriot desire for a unified Cyprus with a single sovereignty. "We aim for a Republic of Cyprus with a single international personality, a single nationality, in a bizonal, bicommunal federation," he stated at a memorial event in southern Nicosia.

Despite recent discussions aimed at improving bilateral relations, Mitsotakis noted, "the fact that we are discussing does not mean we agree or that we will back down."

"We are ready for negotiations, to meet, and to establish long-term peace and resolution in Cyprus," he said, adding that Greek and Greek Cypriot calls to reunite Cyprus under a federal umbrella - which are prescribed in UN resolutions - are no longer possible.

Greek Cypriots want reunification as a federation. Turkish Cypriots want a two-state settlement.

Greece and Turkey recently agreed to discuss how to improve relations, but "the fact that we have been discussing, doesn't mean that we agree and, more importantly, that we back down," Mitsotakis said.

Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960, but ethnic tensions soon led to violence and the withdrawal of Turkish Cypriots into enclaves. The 1974 invasion divided the island, leaving Greek Cypriots in control of the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, now an EU member state, and complicating Turkey's EU aspirations.

The split also hampers efforts to explore and exploit energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean. Reunification talks have been stalled since 2017, and Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, continues to seek international recognition.

In Turkiye, blanket state television coverage focused on violence against Turkish Cypriots prior to the invasion, particularly on bloodshed in 1963-64 and in 1967.

Turkiye's invasion took more than a third of the island and expelled more than 160,000 Greek Cypriots to the south.

Reunification talks collapsed in 2017 and have been at a stalemate since. Northern Cyprus is a breakaway state recognised only by Turkey, and its Turkish Cypriot leadership wants international recognition.