The Cyprus Dispute
There is an ongoing dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Turkey has been occupying the Northern part of the island which is now under the de facto administration of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The latter is only recognized by Turkey, whereas the Republic of Cyrpus (mostly inhabited by Greek Cypriots) is recognised by the international community as the sole legitimate state.
As a result, and in order to avoid hostilities, the United Nations maintains a Buffer Zone between the two areas. This demilitarized zone patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), was established in 1964 then extended in 1974 after the ceasefire of August the16th 1974.
UNFICYP also delivers humanitarian aid to Greek Cypriots and to Turkish Cypriots living in the southern part of the island. It also supports (as much as possible) resumption of normal civilian activity in the buffer zone, keeping in mind that this is still an area under permanent armed watch by the military on both sides.
In recent years, there has been new reunification talks beginning in 2014, which have continuously stalled and resumed multiple times since they began.
Most Greek Cypriots believe a solution with two tightly linked federal units, neither defined mainly in ethnic terms; whereas many Turkish Cypriots wish to maintain control over a strongly autonomous region.
