The anticolonial struggle of the Greek Cypriots against British domination of the island culminated towards the end of the 1950s. In the framework of British disengagement, the main aim was the solution to the Cypriot problem, which undermined the western alliance, in order to guarantee the possibility of exploiting Cyprus militarily. Meanwhile, it was judged necessary to avoid union and partition. Progressively, the possibility of the creation of an independent Cypriot state started to gain credence amongst the western allies (mainly the USA and Britain).

This solution began to be promoted at a diplomatic level within the Euro-Atlantic alliance. From the beginning, it was clear that the Turkish Cypriots would enjoy a privileged treatment, and that Britain would maintain military bases on the island. Under the pressure of events, and under the threat of partition, the western powers designed a plan which was accepted by Greece and Turkey.

The final compromise was drawn up and reflected in the agreements of Zurich and London, during the meetings of the two prime ministers, Konstantinos Karamanlis and Adnan Menderes, in February 1959 and countersigned by Britain. It provided for the creation of an independent Cyprus, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Agreement, in fact, granted Cyprus a limited form of independence, which was a far cry from the hopes and dreams of Hellenism. The Cypriot side, under strong international and Greek pressure, agreed to accept the initial agreement on 19 February 1959, in London, despite the fact that it did not satisfy the Greek Cypriot request for self-determination. Not in the least.

#ΕλληνικόςΣτρατός, #HellenicArmy