Cyprus Independence Agreement - February 19, 1959

On February 19, 1959, a significant milestone was reached in the history of Cyprus as the United Kingdom, Greece, Turkey, and representatives of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities signed the London and Zurich Agreements. These agreements laid the groundwork for Cyprus to achieve independence from British colonial rule, which was officially realized on August 16, 1960.

Historical Context

• British Colonial Rule: Cyprus had been under British administration since 1878 and was formally annexed by Britain in 1914. It became a Crown colony in 1925.
• Ethnic Tensions: The island’s population was predominantly Greek Cypriot, with a significant Turkish Cypriot minority. Tensions between these communities, alongside the Greek Cypriots’ desire for Enosis (union with Greece), complicated the political landscape.
• EOKA Campaign: In the 1950s, the National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA), led by George Grivas, launched an armed campaign against British rule, seeking Enosis. This intensified the urgency for a political solution.

The London and Zurich Agreements

• Negotiations: The agreements were the result of extensive negotiations involving the UK, Greece, Turkey, and Cypriot community leaders. The talks aimed to address the complex ethnic and political issues on the island.
• Key Provisions:
  • Cyprus would become an independent republic.
  • The new constitution would guarantee power-sharing between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
  • The UK retained two sovereign base areas on the island.
  • Greece and Turkey were granted the right to intervene to restore constitutional order if necessary.

Aftermath and Significance

• Independence: Cyprus officially became an independent republic on August 16, 1960, with Archbishop Makarios III as its first president.
• Continued Tensions: Despite independence, intercommunal tensions persisted, leading to violence and political instability in the following decades.
• Geopolitical Impact: The agreements underscored the strategic importance of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean and highlighted the complex interplay of national interests in the region.

The events of February 19, 1959, marked a pivotal moment in Cypriot history, setting the stage for the island’s transition from colonial rule to independence, albeit with challenges that would continue to shape its future.