ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Security Council Resolution 353

On July 20, 1974, the United Nations Security Council adopted a landmark decision, known as Security Council Resolution 353 (UNSCR 353), in response to the Turkish military intervention on the island of Cyprus. The resolution was unanimously adopted and marked a significant turning point in the international community's response to the crisis.

The UNSCR 353 followed the Greek coup attempt, which triggered the Turkish military invasion of Cyprus on July 20, 1974. The Security Council demanded that all foreign military personnel stationed in the Republic of Cyprus withdraw immediately, as this contravened paragraph 1 of the United Nations Charter and agreements granting Cyprus independence.

The resolution called upon Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom – the guarantor countries of Cyprus' constitution and independence – to enter into immediate negotiations to restore peace on the island. The Security Council also emphasized that the withdrawal of all foreign military personnel was a precondition for intercommunal dialogue between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

The resolution further underscored the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, calling upon all United Nations Member States to respect these principles. The Security Council's actions were seen as a significant step towards resolving the conflict on the island, which had been ongoing since 1960 when Cyprus gained its independence from British colonial rule.

The UNSCR 353 was adopted after a series of meetings and proposals by various countries, including Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zenon Rossidis. The resolution also reflected the concerns of other countries, such as Greece's Permanent Representative, Konstantin Panamotakos, who had proposed convening the Security Council to take urgent measures against Turkey.

The Turkish military intervention in Cyprus on July 20, 1974, was a response to the Greek coup attempt that had taken place earlier that day. The invasion led to widespread human rights abuses and displacement of civilians, making UNSCR 353 an essential step towards restoring peace and stability on the island.

In the aftermath of UNSCR 353, negotiations between Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom were initiated, with a view to resolving the conflict through diplomatic means. However, the resolution's impact was limited by the ongoing tensions between the guarantor countries and the fact that the Turkish military remained stationed in Cyprus until 1983.

Despite these challenges, UNSCR 353 remains an important milestone in the history of international relations, as it demonstrated the