Northern Cyprus

Americans can generally enter the area administered by Turkish Cypriots with a valid passport for a stay of ninety days.  However, the United States does not recognize or maintain diplomatic relations with the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” ... [Read More]

Cyprus (07/05)

Following the 1974 hostilities, the Turkish Cypriots set up their own institutions in the area they administered with an elected president and a prime minister responsible to the National Assembly exercising joint executive powers. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriots declared an independent Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ("TRNC"). Only Turkey recognizes the "TRNC". ... [Read More]

Buying Property in Northern Cyprus (Taken Question)

Question:   What is the U.S. position on U.S. citizens buying property in northern Cyprus? ...

Answer:   Our consular information sheet cautions that American citizens who buy or lease property, particularly in northern Cyprus, may find their ownership challenged by people displaced in 1974, and advises that prospective buyers seek legal advice before buying. ...

Buying Property in Northern Cyprus ... [Read More]

"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (Taken Question)

Question:   There is an individual in Los Angeles who claims he is the "Honorary Consul for the Republic of Northern Cyprus." What is the U.S. position on this?Answer:   The United States does not recognize the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and therefore there cannot be any diplomatic or official representation of it in the United States, including honorary consuls or consulates. Members of the Turkish Cypriot community informed us they intended to name a representative in Los Angeles. This individual has no official standing as far as the United States is concerned.2005/431 ... [Read More]

Cyprus

Prior to 1974, Cyprus experienced a long period of intercommunal strife between its Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.  In response the U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) began operations in March 1964.  The island has been divided since the Turkish military intervention of 1974, following a coup d'etat directed from Greece.  Since 1974 the southern part of the island has been under the control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.  The northern part is ruled by a Turkish Cypriot administration.  In 1983 that administration proclaimed itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC").  The "TRNC" is not recognized by the United States or any other country except Turkey.  The two parts are separated by a buffer zone patrolled by the UNFICYP.  A substantial number of Turkish troops remain on the island.  In both the government-controlled areas and in the Turkish Cypriot community, democratic principles gener ... [Read More]

Cyprus

The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice.  The basic law in the Turkish Cypriot community also provides for freedom of religion, and the Turkish Cypriot authorities generally respect this right in practice.  However, the politically divisive environment on Cyprus occasionally affected aspects of religious freedom.  There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report, and government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion. [Read More]

Cyprus

Prior to 1974, Cyprus experienced a long period of intercommunal strife between its Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. In response the U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) began operations in March 1964. The island has been divided since the Turkish military intervention of 1974, following a coup d'etat directed from Greece. Since 1974 the southern part of the island has been under the control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. The northern part is ruled by a Turkish Cypriot administration. In 1983 that administration proclaimed itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"). The "TRNC" is not recognized by the United States or any country except Turkey. A buffer zone patrolled by the UNFICYP separates the two parts. A substantial number of Turkish troops remained on the island. Glafcos Clerides was reelected President of the Republic of Cyprus in 1998. In April 2000, following the first round of Turkish Cypriot e ... [Read More]

Cyprus

The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The basic law governing the Turkish Cypriot community refers specifically to a "secular republic" and provides for freedom of religion, and the Turkish Cypriot authorities generally respect this right in practice. However, the politically divisive environment on Cyprus occasionally affected aspects of religious freedom. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report, and government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion. After the Turkish Cypriot authorities' decision to relax crossing restrictions on April 23, 2003, Greek Cypriots reported relatively easy access to religious sites in the north, including Apostolos Andreas monastery; Turkish Cypriots equally were ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]

U.S. Weapons in North Cyprus (Taken Question)

Question:   Any reaction to the legality of Turkish troops in Northern Cyprus displaying American weaponry at a recent military parade there? ... [Read More]