Relationship dossier
Turkey
Cyprus
Relationship assessment
A deeply adversarial relationship, shaped by Cyprus’s division, Turkey’s non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, and recurring maritime and EU-related disputes.
Turkey toward Cyprus
-90Turkey’s 1974 military intervention and continuing military presence in northern Cyprus have left the island divided. Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and has not implemented commitments to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic, contributing to sustained confrontation.
Cyprus toward Turkey
-65The Cypriot government has used its EU membership to oppose or condition aspects of Turkey’s accession process, citing Turkey’s non-recognition of Cyprus and failure to implement commitments under the EU-Turkey framework. It has also pursued international opposition to Turkish actions in waters claimed by Cyprus.
Overall relationship
-85The relationship is structured by the unresolved division of Cyprus, Turkey’s military presence in the north and its non-recognition of the Republic, alongside disputes over maritime jurisdiction and Turkey’s EU obligations. These enduring conflicts outweigh the limited diplomatic and negotiating engagement between the parties.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus have a deeply adversarial relationship shaped by Turkey’s 1974 military intervention and continuing military presence in northern Cyprus, and by Turkey’s refusal to recognize the Republic. Disputes over Cyprus’s division, maritime claims and Turkey’s obligations toward Cyprus have also obstructed relations. The Cypriot government has used its position in the European Union to press Turkey over its non-recognition and non-implementation of commitments.
Areas of tension
- Cyprus’s division and Turkey’s continuing military presence in northern Cyprus.
- Turkey’s refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus.
- Turkey’s non-implementation of commitments to open ports and airports to Cypriot traffic.
- Competing claims over maritime jurisdiction and Turkish activity in waters claimed by Cyprus.
- Cypriot opposition within the EU to aspects of Turkey’s accession process.
Key developments
Turkey launched a military intervention in Cyprus, after which the island remained divided and Turkish forces stayed in the north.
Major uncertainties
- The prospects for a comprehensive settlement of Cyprus’s division remain unclear.
- The extent to which future Turkish policy may change on recognition and maritime disputes is uncertain.