Kipar je podijeljen još od 1974, kad je Turska vojno intervenirala u znak reakcije na vojni udar grupe grčkih oficira, koji su željeli ujediniti Kipar i Grčku. 1983. godine, kiparski Turci su sami proglasili nezavisnu državu, ali taj potez je priznala samo Turska.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey's militarily intervened in response to a coup by a group of Greek officers, who were pushing for union between Cyprus and Greece. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriots declared themselves an independent state, but the move has been recognised only by Turkey.