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Agreements - Geneva Declaration on Cyprus (30 July 1974)

Following is the text of the Declaration on Cyprus signed, in Geneva, by the Foreign Ministers of Britain, Turkey and Greece:

1. The Foreign Ministers of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom held negotiations in Geneva from 25-30 July 1974. They recognised the importance of setting in train as a matter of urgency, measures to adjust and to regularise within a reasonable period of time the situation in the Republic of Cyprus on a lasting basis, having regard to the international agreement signed at Nicosia on 16 August 1960, and to resolution 353 of the Security Council of the United Nations. They were, however agreed on the need to decide first certain immediate measures.

2. The three Foreign Ministers declared that in order to stabilise the situation the areas in the Republic of Cyprus controlled by opposing armed forces on 30 July 1974 at 22:00 hours Geneva time should not be extended. They called on all forces, including irregular forces, to desist from all offensive or hostile activities.

3. The three Foreign Ministers also concluded that the following measures should be put into immediate effect:
(a) A security zone of sizes to be determined by representatives of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom in consultation with the United Nations Peace-keeping Force on Cyprus (UNFICYP) should be established at the limit of the areas occupied by the Turkish armed forces at the time specified in paragraph 2 above. This zone should be entered by no forces other than those of UNFICYP, which should supervise the prohibition of entry. Pending the determination of the size and character of the security zone, the existing area between the two forces should be entered by no forces.
(b) All the Turkish enclaves occupied by Greek or Greek Cypriot forces should be immediately evacuated. These enclaves will continue to be protected by UNFICYP and to have their previous security arrangements.
Other Turkish enclaves outside the area controlled by the Turkish armed forces shall continue to be protected by an UNFICYP security zone and may, as before, maintain their own police and security forces.
(c) In mixed villages the functions of security and police will be carried out by UNFICYP.
(d) Military personnel and civilians detained as a result of the recent hostilities shall be either exchanged or released under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross within the shortest time possible.

4. The three Foreign Ministers, reaffirming that resolution 353 of the Security Council should be implemented in the shortest possible time, agreed that within the framework of a just and lasting solution acceptable to all parties concerned and as peace, security and mutual confidence are established in the Republic of Cyprus, measures should be elaborated which will lead to the timely and phased reduction of the number of armed forces and the amounts of armaments, ammunition and other war material in the Republic of Cyprus.

5. Deeply conscious of their responsibilities as regards the maintenance of the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus, the three Foreign Ministers agreed that negotiations, as provided for in resolution 353 of the Security Council, should be carried on with the least possible delay to secure (a) the restoration of peace in the area, and (b) the re-establishment of constitutional government in Cyprus.
To this end they agreed that further talks should begin on 8 August 1974, at Geneva. They also agreed that representatives of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities should, at an early stage, participate in the talks relating to the constitution.

Among the constitutional questions to be discussed should be that of an immediate return to constitutional legitimacy, the Vice-President assuming the functions provided for under the 1960 Constitution. The Ministers noted the existence in practice in the Republic of Cyprus of two autonomous administrations, that of the Greek Cypriot community and that of the Turkish Cypriot community. Without any prejudice to the conclusions to be drawn from this situation, the Ministers agreed to consider at their next meeting the problem raised by their existence.

6. The three Foreign Ministers agreed to convey the contents of this declaration to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and to invite him to take appropriate action in the light of it.

They also expressed their conviction of the necessity that the fullest co-operation should be extended by all concerned in the Republic of Cyprus in carrying out its terms.


Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Turkey and Britain:

The Foreign Ministers of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland made it clear that the adherence of their Governments to the declaration of today's date in no way prejudiced their respective views on the interpretation or application of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee or their rights and obligations under the Treaty.