Zürich-London Agreements of 1959

agreements concluded by the prime ministers of Greece and Turkey on February 11 in Zürich and by the prime ministers of Great Britain, Greece, and Turkey and representatives of the Greek and Turkish communities on Cyprus on February 19 in London. The agreements became the basis for the constitution of the independent republic of Cyprus.

Under the agreements Great Britain retained its military bases on Cyprus (99 sq miles), as well as the right to use the island’s territorial waters and air space for military purposes. Furthermore, the agreements obliged the Cypriots to conclude a “treaty of alliance,” permitting contingents of Greek and Turkish troops to be stationed on the island, and a “treaty of guarantee,” giving the guarantors (Great Britain, Greece, and Turkey) the right to intervene in the internal affairs of the Republic of Cyprus.

Placing serious limitations on the country’s sovereignty, the agreements exacerbated the tension between the Greek and Turkish communities on Cyprus. They precipitated a number of internal political crises on Cyprus and put a strain on Greek-Turkish relations. The democratic forces of Cyprus have demanded that the problems created by the agreements be resolved by the Cypriots themselves, and they have called for a halt to the interference of foreign powers in the affairs of Cyprus.