Cyprus marks 66 years since the establishment of the Republic
Cyprus marks 66 years since independence was established on August 16, 1960, ending 82 years of British colonial rule.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus marks 66 years since the establishment of the Republic on August 16, 1960, which ended 82 years of British colonial rule. The Republic was created under the Zurich and London Agreements of 1959.
Independence settlement
The agreements were signed by Britain, Greece, Turkey and representatives of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
They established Cyprus as an independent bi-communal republic. The agreement was reached in Zurich in February 1959 and was subsequently finalised through negotiations in London.
First leadership
Archbishop Makarios became the Republic’s first president, while Turkish Cypriot leader Fazil Kucuk became vice-president.
Background to the agreements
The settlement was reached during the armed struggle led by Eoka against British rule. Eoka, led by Georgios Grivas, sought to end colonial rule and achieve enosis, or union with Greece.
Turkish Cypriots opposed the prospect of enosis, viewing it as a threat to their security, while Turkey increasingly advocated taksim, or partition.
Britain sought a settlement that would end the insurgency while preserving its strategic interests on the island.
Makarios initially held reservations about elements of the proposed settlement but, despite the advice of his counsel and Grivas, accepted it as the basis for independence.
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