The International Dimension of the Cyprus Problem

The Cyprus problem emerged as a critical issue in international relations during the Cold War. Greece's efforts to annex the island and the related demonstrations were met with determined intervention from Turkey. Active demonstrations by university students, the unification demands of the Greek Cypriot side, and the Archbishop’s declarations to the Trusteeship Council increased the international pressure on the island’s future. The policies of the United Kingdom, the United States (USA), and the Soviet Union (USSR) regarding Cyprus influenced regional power balances and significantly determined the security of NATO's southern flank.

Turkey's diplomatic engagements with the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Afghanistan and France regarding the Cyprus issue underscored the island’s strategic importance and reinforced Turkey's position in the international arena. During this process, Turkey's Cyprus policy was conveyed in detail, particularly to the United States, giving the impression that the American Government might initiate a new move regarding Greece's application to the United Nations. Turkey's stance and action plan were also clearly communicated to the Greek Government, and instructions were given to the American embassy in Ankara to support Turkey's views. These diplomatic maneuvers demonstrated that the issue was not only a matter between the two communities but also a complex issue involving major powers.

Keywords: Cyprus Problem, International Relations, Diplomacy, Turkey's Foreign Policy, Greece.