ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base
The Green Line (Cyprus)
The Green Line (Cyprus)
=========================The Green Line refers to the demilitarized zone that divides the island of Cyprus into two parts: the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, an independent state de facto.
History
------------The Green Line was created in 1975 as a result of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The invasion came due to Turkish fears of annexation of Cyprus to Greece, and it resulted in the deportation of about 200,000 Greek Cypriots from the north of the island.
Characteristics
-------------------The Green Line is approximately 300 kilometers long and is surrounded by a buffer zone controlled by the United Nations forces in most parts. In the southern part, the control is shared with British forces, which hold military bases under a special agreement (the "Responsibilities Contract") signed before the crisis.
Control and Administration
-----------------------------The Green Line is a demilitarized zone, meaning that it is not allowed to have any military installations or personnel within its boundaries. The United Nations has been responsible for maintaining the buffer zone since 1975, with the assistance of British forces in some areas.
Impact
------------The creation of the Green Line had a significant impact on the island's population and politics. It led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and created a de facto partition between the two communities. The Green Line remains a sensitive issue in Cyprus, with ongoing efforts towards reunification and a lasting resolution.
References
--------------* [1] Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) government website.
* [2] United Nations Peacekeeping Operations website.
* [3] British High Commission in Cyprus website.
Note: The references provided are for illustrative purposes only, as the original sources were not explicitly cited.